According to representatives from the association, the anticipated nation-wide strike was prompted by government’s failure to honour its promise to implement the new revised fares as agreed.
Matenge said the Department of Roads and Transport Safety had guaranteed the association that the new revised prices would be implemented on July 1.
The association on Friday received notification that the revised fares would be differed to August and not July as promised.
Matenge said that after receiving the response, representatives of the association met with the Minister of Works and Transport, Tebelelo Seretse, to express their disappointment in the lack of urgency shown by government towards addressing their problems, which included implementation of the fare hikes.
He said the meeting, which took place on Tuesday, proved that government was now taking the association seriously. The minister according to Matenge promised to prioritise the issue of fare hikes, and give the association a response by mid-July, adding that the new approved fares would be implemented on August 1.
The association had proposed to increase Combi fares from P1.25 to P1.75 and taxis from P2.00 to P2.50, while the buses had proposed a 60% increase, adding that at the moment the association does not know what percentage increase will be approved by government.
He also said that during the meeting with Seretse, she promised to work cooperatively with the association on issues affecting public transporters nationally.
The associations vice-chairman, Phillip Sakarea said that in taking the decision to abandon the strike, their organisation was looking out for the best interests of their customers, adding that carrying out the strike would have accomplished nothing except made their customers suffer.
The association however still maintains that if the government fails to keep the mid-July deadline as agreed, they would be forced to go on strike.
Meanwhile Matenge said that the association is committed to changing the image of public transport.
He explained that the association would be setting up an office in a few weeks, which will coordinate and regulate all transport operators. The office will also serve as a complaints office for customers.
He also said that the association has appointed route managers who regulate different routes around Gaborone.
He added that in order for the association to improve their services, they need to make enough profit, adding that the industry is currently operating at a loss.
He said once the fare hikes are finalized other developments will follow, such as training of employees on customer service, defensive driving and others, which will improve on the service being provided.
