Taxi drivers push for N$ 15 taxi fare

Taxi drivers have called on works and transport ministry to increase the current taxi fare from N$13 to N$15, citing increased operational costs.

The increment is one of the several demands presented to Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi during a petition handover last Friday from Windhoek based taxi drivers.

The drivers also called for formalisation of the app-based transportation services.

Speaking on behalf of taxi operators,  Matheus Angula said the fares have remained unchanged despite rising fuel price and the cost of living.

He added that taxi drivers also spend more on vehicle maintenance compared to the profit margins.

“Us taxi drivers are humbly requesting for a small increment of taxi fees which is N$15, we are not asking much from that because since the taxi has not increased for a very long time. If you make N$700 in a day, for you to drive for the whole day you need fuel of N$400 so you are only left with a N$300 so what are you going to do with N$300 if our bosses are demanding N$500 per day?” Angula said.

Works and Transport Deputy Director for Transportation Regulation, Damien Mabengano explained that taxi fare adjustments are linked to fuel price adjustments.

He clarified that drivers are required to formally apply for a fare increase whenever fuel prices rise.

“Taxi fare increase is attached to the fuel increase. When there is a fuel increase, you have the opportunity to apply to the minister to request for an increase in your taxi fare and if that taxi fare that you would want to increase is not more than 10% of the current price, that can happen automatically but if the increase that you want bring about is more than 10% of the price that you have, there has to be a formal application and the minister cannot authorise that” he said.

However, transport minister, Veikko Nekundi, acknowledged the financial pressures facing taxi drivers, while highlighting that he awaits a formal taxi fare increase application.