The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) has indicated that it was seeking endorsement for a 10 per cent increase.

Nabta Vice President Innocent Simasiku confirmed yesterday that they had proposed a 10 per cent increase to the Ministry of Transport and that they expected fares to go up by the end of this month.

"We will have a better idea next week.

But yes, we need at least 10 per cent more.

It is to cover petrol and the general maintenance of vehicles," Simasiku said.

That will bring the taxi fare in Windhoek to N$7 per trip to a designated area.

Nabta increased taxi fares from N$5,50 to N$6 per trip in August 2005 and pushed it up to N$6,50 shortly thereafter owing to the increase in fuel prices.

Long-distance bus fares will also increase if the Ministry approves the hike.

Taxi owners think the hike is far too low to offset the continuously increasing fuel price.

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