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Friday, April 26, 2002 - Web posted at 7:15:56 pm GMT

No taxi fare increase for now

TAXI fares in the capital city will not increase in response to the fuel price rises.

Speaking to The Namibian shortly after a meeting of the National Executive of the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta), its president, Thomas Mulunga, said a majority of Nabta members in Windhoek felt the price should remain at N$5 for the time being.

However, there will be increases in some long distance minibus fares.

Fares from Windhoek to Rehoboth will increase from N$15 to N$20, while a number of adjustments to distances in the south will also come into effect.

The fees for the south will be N$70 for Windhoek-Keetmanshoop, N$120 to Karasburg, N$115 to Bethanie and N$60 from Keetmanshoop to Rehoboth.

Fares from Windhoek to Gobabis will remain at N$40, whereas fares to Rundu are unchanged at N$100.

Fares to the North, Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo are still the subject of talks between the regional and national associations, and are expected to be known in the next few days.

The act regulating the taxi association specifies that fares may be increased by no more than 10 per cent, 10 days after a fuel price increase. Nabta would urge all members to stick to this stipulation, said Mulunga.

He said, however, that an exception was being made for the Rehoboth minibuses, as they had not increased their fares in more than two years, while all other associations had made at least one adjustment in that time.

Another resolution was to call for Government to do more to combat pirate taxis, which are taking business away from registered operators.

Mulunga said he had no objection to people organising lift clubs and similar things, but many people with privately registered cars were getting up at five in the morning to run illicit taxi services.

Jacob Ramoswaane, of the Rehoboth Taxi Association, who also attended the meeting, called on all drivers to refrain from using alcohol and drugs, and from using abusive language to passengers.

The new fares will come into operation on May 1.

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