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Speaking in an interview last week, the chairman of the Francistown branch of the Botswana National Transport Association, Albert Lubinda, said on numerous occasions, matters involving taxis - such as the cost of fares - are discussed behind their backs and no consultation is ever made with them. Lubinda, who runs a combi business, said the taxi industry contributed a lot to the economy of the country through the payment of permits, PSV licences, Value Added Tax - when buying parts, road worthiness charges and tax, but the department of transport ignores them.
“We are never consulted, and are now in a dilemma. I don’t even know when the taxi and combi fares are going to be increased and by how much. We are really concerned and call upon the transport department to start recognising us as stakeholders,” said Lubinda.
His deputy, Aupa Mosinyi, who also owns combis, said as if it was not enough that the department of transport ignored them, the FCC was also not prepared to work with them. He said no one in the council has explained what was delaying completion of work on the bus rank, which is taking too long to complete. “As stakeholders in the business, we need to be formally informed about the position of the rank. We are the ones who use the rank on a daily basis, and as such, we should be informed as to what has caused the delay,” said Mosinyi. “We don’t even have toilet facilities, but the council does not seem to care.”
Mosinyi said that the council and the transport department did not even involve them in meetings and workshops concerning road safety. “We are the main road users. We drive on a daily basis and for us to curb accidents I think we should be involved. We should be invited to workshops and road safety campaigns just like other stakeholders,” Mosinyi noted.
On fare charges, he said the taxi association should be independent like Botswana Railways and Air Botswana who set fees for themselves and reduce and increase when they please. “Truly speaking, this is not fair. Taxi fares are considered after five years, like political office. We are an industry, and we deserve consultation, not to have decisions imposed on us when other people choose or desire,” said Mosinyi.
He also complained of illegal taxi operators in the city. He said the transport department was doing nothing to control the influx of illegal taxis, which were on the increase. He claimed that some illegal taxis were owned by police officers and soldiers.
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