Public Celebrates Reduction Of Fares

By Edgar Tsimane
Correspondent | Monday December 22, 2008 00:00

But taxi operators are seething with anger. They have threatened to take the government to court today (Monday).

'The Ministry of Transport has served us with letters of notice. We will approach the High Court on Monday,' chairperson of the Gaborone Taxi and Local Bus Association, Gipson Matenge, said on Friday.

Monitor spoke to several Gaborone commuters and this is what they had to say:
'I'm over excited by the move. The government should now look into reducing the high food prices especially basic commodities such as bread, sugar, cooking oil and maize meal' - Molefe Itemogeng

'Reduce the fares! Reduce the fares! I am a petrol attendant. Petrol has gown down why can't taxi fares go down?' - Boitshwaro Tities.

'I fully agree. The government should have long done that' - Ipotseng Kgakgamatso
'Our councillors should have long put pressure on the government to instruct taxi owners to drop fares. Instead they are pushing for us to go into drought relief projects.

Drought relief is a temporary solution to our problems. We want real jobs. These councilors are useless' - Francinah Siane
'These transport operators think they can hold us hostage when they feel like. See what happened the last time they went on strike people did not pitch at work.

It is high time they are put in their place. Let the government reduce fares. If they squeal, they should surrender their permits and make way for other people who are willing to help us to get to work' - Setlogetswe Ntumbela.