Gantsi taxi business hostile
Leinanyana Tsiane | Friday May 16, 2014 17:21
Chachara Matsaudi, 35, started his taxi business almost a year ago but says it has been a real uphill battle.
Matsaudi who hails from Maun said he came to Gantsi because the market in Maun was extremely saturated and competition was very stiff among operators.
“I came to Gantsi with the hope of making a living, but it turned out to be so tough. In Gantsi the market is there but it is unfortunate that here if passengers don’t know you, chances of making money are very slim,” Matsaudi said.
He said besides the issue of passengers knowing the operator, some Gantsi residents prefer to walk rather than use taxis and combis no matter the distance. It does not even matter whether it is raining or if the sun is scorching, he said.
He added that Gantsi has not been divided into routes, which he said, is another problem they are facing. Taxi operators therefore can take passengers to anywhere around the township as long as they are going the same direction or location.
Matsaudi said they spoke to Choppies Management to allow them to operate from the parking lot, they were however asked to write a letter to that effect. They wrote the letter and were given permission to do so.
“We used to make money while operating from Choppies but this came to an end after the Department of Transport wrote us letters telling us to move to the taxi rank.
“They said at Choppies and any other shopping complex we can just pick and drop commuters.
“Though what we did was against the regulations, we had to because that was where we could make a few thebes,” he said.
He said since moving to the taxi rank, life has become difficult for them. He added that they wait for long hours to get commuters.
“Besides that, we drive around the township hoping to get commuters. And if we do, it will be one or two people.
You can imagine the money we use for fuel never mind to service our cars. It is important to service our cars because the Department of Transport here in Gantsi checks regularly if our cars are road worthy,” he said.
He commended the Taxi Association in Gantsi for always attending to their grievances well in time adding that their working relationship is very cordial.
Matsaudi, however, said he will continue to strive to make a living in Gantsi as prospects for the future look rosy since the township is growing at a fast rate.