Fuel prices: 'No one wins'
Despite fuel prices increasing by 115% in the past two years, taxi drivers have not been permitted to up their fares.In July 2020, the price for petrol in Walvis Bay stood at N$10.35 while diesel was N$11.13 per litre. Now, petrol stands at N$22.28 per litre (landed in Walvis Bay), while you will have to fork out N$22.77 per litre for diesel at the moment, with no relief in sight for weary consumers.
While no one is denying an increase in taxi fares is long overdue, the impact of a 40% increase that taxi unions are aiming for, will have an extremely detrimental impact on those making use of the service. Consider this: A 40% increase on the current N$13 trip, will up the amount due to N$19. For those earning the minimum wage of N$19.09 an hour, it means that they will be working for two hours a day just to be able to commute between work and home.
According to a domestic worker in Windhoek, no one wins. "We don’t win, the taxi driver doesn’t win. Some domestic workers only work half-day, but the taxi fare remains the same."
And their is no indication as to when - if ever - fuel prices will stabilize or decline.
A 10% increase in taxi fares was negotiated early last year, which was not approved, and late last year, taxi bosses demanded a 15% increase but to no avail.