Transport operators cry foul

The country’s transport sector is facing mounting pressure as rising fuel prices and declining passenger numbers continue to eat into operators’ earnings, leaving many taxi drivers and long-distance bus operators struggling to survive and break even.Drivers say the business, once viewed as a dependable source of income, is no longer bringing meaningful returns. Instead, many claim they are now working simply to keep their vehicles running, with little or no profit left at the end of the day.Across routes linking Gaborone to areas such as Shakawe, Kang, Francistown and other distant villages, operators say business has slowed sharply as the cost of fuel, maintenance and daily living continues to drastically climb.Some drivers have reportedly parked their vehicles completely, while others now work only on selected days of the week to reduce expenses.Speaking to The Midweek Sun, long-distance bus driver, Boifang Lesole said weekends are now the only periods that still bring some level of business.“We only make reasonable business on Fridays when people are travelling home or visiting relatives. During the rest of the week, there are very few passengers,” he said.Lesole explained that many operators have been forced to leave the transport industry because they can no longer sustain the business. “Some people have quit because the profits are too low. We are working hard, but the money we earn is not enough to cover all our expenses,” he said. He further stated that rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of goods have weakened people’s spending power, resulting in fewer passengers using public transport.“There is no salary increase, but the prices of petrol and goods keep rising. People are struggling financially, and that means fewer people are travelling,” Lesole added.Taxi driver, Kealeboga Jameson said operators are now prioritising routes and trips that bring better returns as profits continue to shrink.According to Jameson, the current special taxi fare of P36 is no longer attractive to many drivers because carrying several passengers on a normal route often brings in more money.“The special fare is now P36, but if I carry four passengers paying P10 each, I make P40. Because of that, many taxi drivers prefer general trips and are becoming reluctant to take special requests,” he said.Jameson said transport operators are no longer working with the hope of making substantial profits but are instead focused on survival.“We are just working to survive. The money we make helps us put food on the table and keep going, rather than making real profit,” he said.Another bus driver, Koketso Busang, shared similar concerns, saying fuel costs are draining operators’ earnings.Busang explained that a bus travelling between Lobatse and Kanye consumes fuel worth around P1,300 in a day, yet operators may only earn around P500 by the end of the day. “We spend around P1,300 on fuel for the route, but at the end of the day, we only make a P500 profit. It has become very difficult to sustain the business under these conditions,” he said.Operators say the combination of stagnant salaries, high fuel prices and declining passenger numbers has created harsh trading conditions for the transport industry. Many fear the situation could worsen if fuel prices continue rising without adjustments to public transport fares.Chairperson of the Gaborone Taxi and Local Bus Service Association, Edson Tlhomelang, said concerns raised by drivers should not be ignored as the industry is under severe pressure.“The comments from bus operators and taxi drivers can never be taken for granted because petrol is now extremely expensive. The transport business is not making a profit anymore. We are now making nothing out of it,” he said.Tlhomelang stated that transport operators had previously engaged the government during fare review discussions and reached an agreement on proposed increases that were expected to take effect on April 1.He said operators had agreed to monitor the fuel situation for three months after global conflicts contributed to rising fuel prices.“We agreed that we would observe the situation for three months to see whether the wars that erupted, forcing petrol to be this expensive, would have ended,” said Tlhomelang.According to Tlhomelang, operators are likely to return to the government for further negotiations if conditions do not improve.He said the association is seeking an increase in combo fares to P13, taxi fares to P14 and bus fares to 44 thebe per kilometre.“We are yet to make a follow-up on the talks. The three-month period will elapse at the end of June. " The government really disappointed us,” he said.The transport fare debate has remained a contentious issue in recent months following confusion surrounding public transport fare adjustments earlier this year.In April, steep increases in public transport fares announced through the Government Gazette caused concern among commuters and operators alike.However, the increases were later declared invalid after the government stated that the changes had not been approved by the cabinet.

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Transport operators cry foul