Charles Tjatindi
29 July 2008
Walvis Bay — The apparent absence of clear directives and guidelines on the structuring of fares for long-distance transport has left some commuters confused. While commuters deem it logical that transport fares be set according to the distance between towns, some argue that there have been disparities in such regard.
A case in point, according to some commuters, is the fare between Walvis Bay and Windhoek - a distance of close to 400 km, which stands at N$110 since the last increase, while commuters from the capital to Oshakati are charged N$140, despite having to travel almost twice the distance.
Commuters using public transport between Walvis Bay and Windhoek feel that they are given the shorter end of the stick, as N$110 is too high considering the 396-km distance between the two towns.
A closer examination of the fare structures as set by the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) revealed further disparities between fares charged and the relative distances. For example, the last increase saw the fare between the capital and Keetmanshoop go up to N$130, although the distance is 200 km more than that to Walvis Bay.
Contacted for comment, Nabta's chairperson, Magnus Nangombe, acknowledged the disparity in the fare structure, but maintained that there is not much that can be done as adjusting such structures would mean loss of income for operators. Nangombe told New Era that the initial responsibility for the adjustment of fares rests with the association's regional coordinators, who, in consultation with operators in the industry, advise Nabta head office on proposed adjustments.
"The regional coordinators propose to the executive committee on what adjustments they see fit, outlining reasons thereof.
They are the ones on the ground and we will not know what the situation is unless they inform us through their fare structure proposals," said Nangombe.
Nangombe noted that as a leadership, the current executive committee found such a structure in place and reversing it would prove a major task.
"Such a structure has been in place for a long time. How do you tell a person that he has been charging more if he has adjusted his business to that rate. It's just not possible to do that - it is illegal," he said.
The Nabta chairperson, however, noted that upon the proposal of the association's regional vocal persons, it could leave such fares unchanged while others get an increase in order to catch up with the rest. Although noting that he was not putting the blame on the regional coordinators, Nangombe admitted that a lot of work needs to be done on the association's whole pricing structure.
He appealed to operators and commuters with problems regarding the association's fare structure to forward such complaints and queries to his office for investigation. He also warned operators that are said to be charging their clients more than the permissible fares as set by Nabta to desist from the practice.
"I would advise commuters to know the correct fares applicable. They can obtain a fares list at our offices and acquaint themselves. I also appeal to operators to stick by the set rules and guidelines and charge commuters only for what is due to them, nothing more," remarked Nangombe.
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