20
JANUARY, 2020
ROADS AND TRANSPORT Seven-Seater Taxi’s Fate Undecided
AUTHOR: Ms. Naemi Shoopala Researcher @ RDJ Consulting
N
The drivers of these seven seaters are devasted by the nintended unemployment that can accrue considering the economic juncture at which the country currently stands. Other things to be taken into consideration are also the lack of transportation for persons to access education, health, work opportunities and many other needs. The action in the Kunene and Omusati regions through the curbing of the seven seaters taxis automatically creates a shortage in the already constrained transport services for the people.
EDITOR: Mr. David Jarrett
amibia's public transport is controlled mainly by private operators who utilise low cost vehicle operation such as via five-seater sedan and seven seater cars and who in some cases are represented by various bodies. The urban taxi industry has until recently been mostly dominated by sedan cars. The utilization of seven seater cars has increased and even created conflict with mini-buses that ply inter-urban routes. This use of the seven seaters was considered contrary to their road permits which restricted use to urban centres. Within the last one to two years, there have been requests for the government to allow the introduction of the seven seater vehicle on the roads as inter-urban taxi. Discussions concerning the operation of these seven seaters taxis are still ongoing (January 2020), despite receiving negative feedback on their legalization. The government itself has not released any official ban notice on its use as a taxi to date. However, there exists a special operation in place to curb the illegal use of these vehicles. Such operations include removal of these vehicles used in the Kunene and Omusati regions, as well as the imposition of fines for the drivers of up to N$4000 for operating on the national road.
Nevertheless, the spokesperson for the seven seaters drivers, Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) President Werner Januarie has appealed to the Ministry of Works and Transport to allow either; all those that satisfy and fulfill the permit requirement to be given an opportunity to acquire permits and be allowed to operate or all permits be cancelled but not a combination resulting in discriminatory practices. NTTU President Werner Januarie, in an exclusive interview with RDJ Briefing reported that for now, the seven seaters with permits are given a period of six months to rectify route certification of their permits. This period is estimated by the NTTU to end by July 2020 or latest August, 2020. Readings & Notes http://www.mwt.gov.na/documents/98944/100185/Media+Release+Taxi+demonstration%2CJune+18%2C2019%2C+Windhoek.pdf/ae4c e414-98aa-4af1-935a-e9dfc5480305 https://www.namibiansun.com/news/taxis-at-war https://www.nbc.na/minibus-and-7-seater-operators-tension https://www.namibiansun.com/news/taxis-at-war https://www.nbc.na/minibus-and-7-seater-operators-tension https://www.namibian.com.na/194050/archive-read/Seven-seaterdrivers-want-ban-lifted https://www.namibian.com.na/86594/read/Confusion-reigns-overlegality-of-seven-seaters
Photo showing the new Seven Seater Vehicles parked. Credit: RDJ Photo
www.rdjconsulting.co.za
