Gideon Nkala
9 May 2004
Transport fares are likely to be increased in July, the director of Road Transport, Moses Sebolai has said. In a meeting with representatives of the Gaborone Local Taxi and Combis Association at the Broadhurst police station last Friday, Sebolai said that consultations between various stakeholders in government were at an advanced stage to hike the fares.
"There is currently a cabinet memo on the subject and I expect that this matter might come to a finality next month. If it is concluded, I expect that authorities may act on it by beginning of July," he said adding that he was confident action would be taken on the matter latest by August.
He said the delay was in part caused by the late submission of taxi and buses association's input report.
At meeting held on the day Gaborone public transporters went on a crippling strike, the transporters' representatives wanted to know why they were denied an opportunity to increase fares every two years as should be the standard practice. Sebolai replied there was no such provision in the law.
"Fare increases were based on the wide range of inter-linked scenarios," he said.
Some operators wondered why they are not given a free reign to increase fares as when they like.
"This is a free market economy. Why is our industry placed on the leash of price control," one wondered.
Sebolai said the thinking of government is that the transport industry is essential and should be controlled.
"If people are allowed to make any increase, they might even out-price themselves out of the market. We take into cognisance the socio-economic capability of your clientele and the general performance of the economy in setting up the fares," he said.
The Secretary General of the Association, Philip Sakarea said their members were very impatient and might not wait until the said July.
"July is very far. I cannot give any guarantee that our members will accept this."
The Association's members said they would want the transport minister to come and address them.
After the meeting, the members stayed behind to chart the way forward on the fare increase issue. They resolved that they will be patient until July 1. If the fares are not increased by that date, they will mobilise their auxiliary association and go on a nationwide strike.
"This is not a teachers' strike that will affect only the students. Ours will affect the entire economy," Sakarea said.
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