ONGWEDIVA – Northern commuters say the recent taxi fare increase has placed access to transportation beyond their reach.
Taxi fares have increased from N$13 to N$15, affecting pensioners, learners and daily commuters across the northern regions. Many say were already finding it difficult to afford the previous fare and often depended on small amounts or informal arrangements to get by.
They must now choose between food, transport, accommodation, oil and other necessities despite their miniscule earnings or resources at their disposal.
Justus Hamutenya (65) is a case in point.
He says travelling has become more difficult as transport now takes a bigger part of his limited income.
“Honestly, I now need at least N$30 just to get where I want to go,” he said.
He is a breadwinner. In some cases, he added, commuters were already struggling to fully pay the N$13 fare and often had to negotiate or make up the difference when they could not afford it.
Learners have also raised concern about the increase, saying it affects their ability to attend school regularly.
Rachel Edward, a learner at Mweshipandeka Secondary School, said she often struggled with transport costs even before the increase.
She said she previously relied on taxi drivers’ understanding when she only had N$10 for transport after school.
“Sometimes it is not even because I want to, but because my grandparents can only afford that, due to their many responsibilities,” she said.
Edward said she is now worried about how she will continue getting to and from school, as transport is essential for her daily attendance.
“The little money my grandparents have is no longer enough to help me with taxi fare every day,” she said.
Taxi drivers are also affected by the increase, as many passengers were already struggling to pay the previous fare.
Jonas Washinana, a taxi driver operating between Ongwediva, Oshakati and Ondangwa, said the situation is becoming more difficult for both drivers and passengers.
“What worries me is that even at N$13, many passengers already said they only had N$10. Now it is even more difficult,” he said.
He said drivers continue to face rising fuel prices, vehicle maintenance costs and repair expenses, which reduce their earnings.
The government recently approved the taxi fare increase, citing rising fuel prices and higher vehicle maintenance costs as the main reasons behind the decision.