Transport operators push for P14 taxi fare -"Prices in food outlets continue to rise; people accept and move on"
Transport operators will continue to push for the implementation of the transport fare increases initially approved on April 1, despite the recent reduction in fuel prices announced by the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA).
The proposed fares, which were later suspended following public outcry, saw taxi fares increase to P14 and kombis to P13, while long-distance transport charges rose to 44 thebe per kilometre.
Currently, passengers pay P10 for taxi rides, P9 for kombis and 36 thebe per kilometre for long-distance travel.
Chairman of the Botswana Buses Association, Tirafalo Mponang, told The Midweek Sun that transport operators have found themselves under increasing pressure from passengers who believe the recent fuel price reduction should automatically result in lower transport fares.
According to Mponang, the assumption that fuel prices are the only determinant of transport fares is misguided.
"Passengers continue to tell us that because fuel prices have gone down, transport fares should also be reduced. What many people fail to understand is that the fares we proposed were never based
on fuel prices alone," he said.
He said transport associations had commissioned an independent consultant to conduct a comprehensive cost analysis before arriving at the proposed fares.
"The consultant considered all operational costs before recommending the fares. The P14 for taxis, P13 for kombis and 44 thebe per kilometre were calculated after taking every expense into account," he said.
Mponang acknowledged that transport operators lost the court battle, which halted the implementation of the new tariffs.
However, he insisted that the matter is far from over, revealing that the associations intend to engage the Minister responsible for transport in a fresh round of discussions in the hope of securing approval for the original fare structure.
He stressed that operators are not seeking to exploit commuters but are instead fighting for the sustainability of their businesses.
"Our intention is not to swindle Batswana of their hard-earned money. We understand the difficult economic conditions that households are facing because we are also affected by the same economy," he said.
Mponang further argued that the April fare adjustments did not even fully reflect the financial burden transport operators had experienced.
"It should be noted that even those April adjustments, which many people regarded as excessive, did not fully account for the sharp fuel price increases caused by international geopolitical instability
that disrupted global fuel supply chains. We absorbed a significant portion of those costs ourselves," he said.
Gaborone Taxis and Local Buses Association chairperson, Edison Tlhomelang said transport operators continue to grapple with escalating operating expenses beyond fuel.
Tlhomelang pointed out that the prices of vehicle spare parts, servicing, tyres, insurance, lubricants and other essential inputs have all increased significantly in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for operators to remain financially viable.
"Everything has become expensive. Prices in supermarkets and food outlets continue to rise, and businesses adjust their prices regularly. People accept those increases and move on. Yet whenever transport operators seek a fare adjustment to remain operational, we face the strongest resistance," he said.
He maintained that the associations' proposed fares were never intended to generate excessive profits.
"We conducted a comprehensive review of our operating costs. This is not about making huge profits; it is about breaking even. At the current fares, many operators are struggling to keep their vehicles on the road and maintain reliable services," Tlhomelang said.
He added that transport associations will soon seek an audience with the Minister to revisit the issue and present their case once again.
The proposed fares, which were later suspended following public outcry, saw taxi fares increase to P14 and kombis to P13, while long-distance transport charges rose to 44 thebe per kilometre.
Currently, passengers pay P10 for taxi rides, P9 for kombis and 36 thebe per kilometre for long-distance travel.
Chairman of the Botswana Buses Association, Tirafalo Mponang, told The Midweek Sun that transport operators have found themselves under increasing pressure from passengers who believe the recent fuel price reduction should automatically result in lower transport fares.
According to Mponang, the assumption that fuel prices are the only determinant of transport fares is misguided.
"Passengers continue to tell us that because fuel prices have gone down, transport fares should also be reduced. What many people fail to understand is that the fares we proposed were never based
on fuel prices alone," he said.
He said transport associations had commissioned an independent consultant to conduct a comprehensive cost analysis before arriving at the proposed fares.
"The consultant considered all operational costs before recommending the fares. The P14 for taxis, P13 for kombis and 44 thebe per kilometre were calculated after taking every expense into account," he said.
Mponang acknowledged that transport operators lost the court battle, which halted the implementation of the new tariffs.
However, he insisted that the matter is far from over, revealing that the associations intend to engage the Minister responsible for transport in a fresh round of discussions in the hope of securing approval for the original fare structure.
He stressed that operators are not seeking to exploit commuters but are instead fighting for the sustainability of their businesses.
"Our intention is not to swindle Batswana of their hard-earned money. We understand the difficult economic conditions that households are facing because we are also affected by the same economy," he said.
Mponang further argued that the April fare adjustments did not even fully reflect the financial burden transport operators had experienced.
"It should be noted that even those April adjustments, which many people regarded as excessive, did not fully account for the sharp fuel price increases caused by international geopolitical instability
that disrupted global fuel supply chains. We absorbed a significant portion of those costs ourselves," he said.
Gaborone Taxis and Local Buses Association chairperson, Edison Tlhomelang said transport operators continue to grapple with escalating operating expenses beyond fuel.
Tlhomelang pointed out that the prices of vehicle spare parts, servicing, tyres, insurance, lubricants and other essential inputs have all increased significantly in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for operators to remain financially viable.
"Everything has become expensive. Prices in supermarkets and food outlets continue to rise, and businesses adjust their prices regularly. People accept those increases and move on. Yet whenever transport operators seek a fare adjustment to remain operational, we face the strongest resistance," he said.
He maintained that the associations' proposed fares were never intended to generate excessive profits.
"We conducted a comprehensive review of our operating costs. This is not about making huge profits; it is about breaking even. At the current fares, many operators are struggling to keep their vehicles on the road and maintain reliable services," Tlhomelang said.
He added that transport associations will soon seek an audience with the Minister to revisit the issue and present their case once again.
