Mini-bus drivers down tools in Windhoek

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Mini-bus drivers that commute between informal settlements and town in Windhoek on Wednesday downed tools by parking their busses until permission is granted to load more passengers depending on individual bus loading capacity.

This follows measures put in place to contain the further spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which limits them to transport passengers at half capacity.

The drivers on Wednesday said they are making losses due to the current COVID-19 regulations and are demanding that they be allowed to carry three passengers at the backseat of their busses as opposed to the usual four.

Addressing the drivers, Namibia Bus and Taxi Association Penda Nakathingo vowed to take the drivers’ complaints and inputs to the relevant authorities to find amicable solutions.

“We are not operating in a vacuum, but according to the law. From here I am going to take this to the authorities and inform them about this situation,” he said.

Nakathingo expressed disappointment in the manner in which the municipal busses belonging to the City of Windhoek operate claiming they are allowed to load passengers at full capacity.

“It is very unfair that the municipal busses are loading passengers to full capacity, some were even standing because there was no space to sit. I could even see passengers standing at the entrance of these municipal busses trying to force their way onto these busses and in terms of COVID-19 regulations, we are strongly requested to apply social distancing,” he said.

This was however disputed by CoW spokesperson Herold Akwenye who said currently the municipal buses are only allowed to carry a quarter of their full capacity.

“There is no way that the drivers are overloading passengers because every exit from their loading points to town is monitored by City Police officers and if this is the case, these drivers can lose their jobs,” he said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency