Taxi association wants government to cushion commuters
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (NAPTA) has called on the government to subsidise taxi fares, warning that rising fuel prices and operating costs are placing increasing pressure on both commuters and transport operators.
Napta secretary general Pendapala Nakathingo said the recent increase in taxi fares from N$13 to N$15, which took effect on 18 May, was necessary but still insufficient given the rising cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance and other commodities.
Speaking recently on the Evening Review show, Nakathingo said government support for the public transport sector could help prevent further fare hikes while easing pressure on commuters who rely heavily on taxis.
“We are calling upon the government to consider subsidising the taxi industry,” he said.
Nakathingo proposed a system where commuters would pay only part of the fare while the government covers the remainder.
“Of course the commuters can pay eight dollars and the government pays seven dollars or whatever they can afford,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over Namibia’s rising fuel prices and inflation outlook.
According to a report by Windhoek Observer earlier this month, Simonis Storm Securities has maintained Namibia’s 2026 average inflation forecast at between 4.5% and 5.0%, warning that rising global oil prices could push inflation even higher in the coming months.
The firm warned that fuel costs are already spilling over into transport, food and services, placing households under mounting pressure.
Fuel prices in Namibia have experienced several increases since last year.
In March 2025, the government increased petrol and diesel prices by 50 cents per litre.
After several months of stability, fuel prices increased again by 21 cents per litre in December 2025.
The steepest increases, however, came this year.
In April 2026, petrol prices rose by N$2.50 per litre while diesel increased by N$4 per litre following escalating tensions in the Middle East and surging global oil prices.
In May 2026, petrol increased by a further N$1.40 per litre while diesel climbed by another N$4.63 per litre, pushing fuel prices close to levels last seen during the 2022 global energy crisis.
Overall, fuel prices have officially increased at least four times between March 2025 and May 2026.
Nakathingo warned that if global instability continues and fuel prices keep rising, further taxi fare increases may become unavoidable.
“If we see it is necessary, then that will be determined according to the situation,” he said.
However, he stressed that Napta is trying to balance the interests of operators and commuters.
“We are reasonable. We are not just looking at the pockets of taxi drivers. We also consider the situation of commuters,” he said.
Nakathingo said many taxi and bus operators are struggling to maintain vehicles properly because of rising costs, adding that poor maintenance could place commuter safety at risk.
“You hear accidents happening because of tyre bursts, brake failures and all those things,” he said.
He argued that subsidising public transport would not only assist operators but also protect commuters who depend on taxis daily for work, shopping, school and church trips.
Nakathingo said around 65% of Namibians rely on public transport services.
“We need to work together and feel this pain together,” he said.
