Taxi, combi operators stick to old fares

Commuters are crying foul but the operators are sticking to their guns, claiming they are unaware of the changes.

The operators have resorted to forcing commuters to pay immediately they board the bus/taxi. Although the government gazetted the revised rates late last month, and were widely announced in the media, the operators say they were not informed 'otherwise we could be charging the new prices. We don't know what you are talking about. It is all hearsay,' said one taxi operator plying the Bluetown route. The conduct of the operators has put them on a collision course with commuters. But it seems commuters have given up the fight.

'It was on Wednesday evening when we boarded the combi to Selepa suburbs when we were forced to pay in advance. We all refused. The driver thought we were joking and took off and before we reached Thapama roundabout we were asked to pay the old P3 fare for the combi.

'We still refused only for the driver to take us back to the taxi rank. Since it was getting late we had no choice and paid another operator the P3  fare,' cried Serwalo Kereeditse. Other commuters decry that operators are arrogant and insult them while others threaten to beat them up.

'These people (operators) lack discipline. Most of them are a bunch of immature hot heads,' said another one. Contacted for comment, DRTS acting director Orapeleng Mosigi said issues of physical or verbal abuse are handled by the police. Mosigi added that he has communicated with all of his offices to ensure information on the new fares reaches all the stakeholders.

'We are meeting with operators this afternoon (Thursday) and will give you full information by Friday (today),' said Mosigi.