Taxi fares on Walvis - Swakop route exceed approved rates
Commuters between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are being charged N$70 for taxi fares, exceeding the government-approved rate of N$58. Taxi operators argue the official increase is insufficient to cover rising fuel and maintenance costs, while commuters struggle with the added financial burden.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between rising operational costs for small businesses and the affordability of essential public transport for low-income citizens.
Commuters travelling between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are paying more than the government-approved taxi fare.
The Regional Road Public Passenger Fare Structure sets the approved fare between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund at N$58 after the 15% fare increase announced by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi in May.
However, The Namibian established that commuters on the route are being charged N$70, exceeding the approved fare.
A taxi operator, who requested anonymity, says the approved increase was too small to make a meaningful difference to operators already grappling with rising operating costs.
“An increase of about N$8 was not a lot. It doesn’t really make a difference when you consider the price of fuel, vehicle maintenance, tyres and spare parts,” the operator says.
He says many operators are struggling to keep their businesses afloat amid increasing running costs.
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