'Withdraw taxi fare hike'
The official opposition says the decision to increase taxi and long-distance bus fares with 15% should be withdrawn.
26 May 2020 | Transport
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has urged the transport ministry and Road Transportation Board of Namibia to withdraw the temporary 15% taxi fare increase announced recently.
The official opposition has instead proposed that taxis and long-distance buses be allowed to operate at full capacity and that hand sanitisers and masks are made available to customers.
Alternatively, the party suggested that the ministry stick to the social distancing rule in buses and taxis and find a way to compensate registered taxi and bus operators with fuel relief or a stimulus package.
The PDM emphasised that the 15% increase is a heavy burden on members of the public, who have also had their income affected by the coronavirus outbreak and state of emergency regulations.
Namibians struggling
According to PDM's Johnny Martin, some Namibians are still battling to receive their N$750 emergency income grant, while most street vendors still cannot sell their goods.
He said some workers have been retrenched and others have had their salaries cut.
“The decision to increase transport fares with 15% should be withdrawn. What is so special about [the] transport industry that consumers must compensate them for their lost income?” Martin asked.
He added that bars are closed and businesses that are operating are not allowed to inflate their prices.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has urged the transport ministry and Road Transportation Board of Namibia to withdraw the temporary 15% taxi fare increase announced recently.
The official opposition has instead proposed that taxis and long-distance buses be allowed to operate at full capacity and that hand sanitisers and masks are made available to customers.
Alternatively, the party suggested that the ministry stick to the social distancing rule in buses and taxis and find a way to compensate registered taxi and bus operators with fuel relief or a stimulus package.
The PDM emphasised that the 15% increase is a heavy burden on members of the public, who have also had their income affected by the coronavirus outbreak and state of emergency regulations.
Namibians struggling
According to PDM's Johnny Martin, some Namibians are still battling to receive their N$750 emergency income grant, while most street vendors still cannot sell their goods.
He said some workers have been retrenched and others have had their salaries cut.
“The decision to increase transport fares with 15% should be withdrawn. What is so special about [the] transport industry that consumers must compensate them for their lost income?” Martin asked.
He added that bars are closed and businesses that are operating are not allowed to inflate their prices.
[email protected]
Classifieds