THE latest push by taxi operators to raise fares from M13 to M23 for short distances is not only ridiculous — it is profoundly disconnected from the economic realities facing ordinary Basotho. While operators cite rising fuel prices, licensing fees and other operational costs, the scale and timing of the proposed increase risk placing an unbearable burden on commuters who are already stretched to breaking point.
A jump of M10 on a base fare is not incremental; it is drastic. It represents a staggering increase of nearly 77 percent in one stroke. In any economy, such a sharp rise would require careful justification, phased implementation and broad stakeholder consensus. In Lesotho’s fragile economic climate — marked by high unemployment, stagnant wages and declining industrial activity — it borders on the untenable.
Taxi operators argue they are acting on the recommendations of a consultant and responding to delayed government action. They also maintain that they had initially proposed a more modest increase to M15. That may well be the case, but the fact remains that commuters are now being asked to shoulder the consequences of institutional delays and policy gaps. It is neither fair nor sustainable to transfer this burden wholesale onto the public.
Public transport is not a luxury. It is an essential service that underpins economic participation. Factory workers, students, vendors and low-income earners rely on taxis to access workplaces, schools and markets. When transport costs surge, the ripple effects are immediate and far-reaching: attendance drops, productivity declines and household budgets collapse under pressure.
The voices of commuters tell a story that policymakers and operators alike cannot afford to ignore.
Liteboho Molise, a factory worker and sole breadwinner, captures the daily struggle of many households. With a minimum wage and an unemployed spouse, his budget is already stretched thin. For him, the proposed increase is not an inconvenience — it is a direct threat to his family’s survival. His frustrations – in an interview with the Lesotho Times – are fully understandable. Any policy or decision that ignores such realities risks alienating the very people it is meant to serve.
Single mother Matšeliso Ralitapole raises an equally troubling concern. A daily return trip costing close to M50 would consume a significant portion of her income. For workers in the textile sector — many of whom already face inconsistent earnings due to fluctuating production — this is simply unsustainable. The question she poses is a valid one: if current fares are already difficult to manage, how will higher costs be absorbed?
Another factory worker, Nthabeleng Muso’s situation reinforces this point. With reduced salaries becoming increasingly common in the factories, higher transport costs effectively amount to a pay cut. When commuting costs rise disproportionately to income, workers are forced into impossible choices — between transport and food, between attendance and survival.
Even beyond formal employment, the strain is evident. Street vendors report that many commuters already struggle to pay the current M13 fare, often negotiating down to M10. This is not a sign of unwillingness to pay, but rather an indication of limited capacity. Increasing fares in such a context risks deepening tensions between operators and passengers, potentially leading to conflict and reduced compliance.
Students, too, are feeling the pressure. With National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS) allowances remaining stagnant, higher transport costs could directly impact class attendance and academic performance. Education, like transport, is a cornerstone of national development. Policies that inadvertently undermine access to it should be approached with extreme caution.
The operators’ concerns are not without merit. Rising fuel prices, increased vehicle licensing fees and higher fitness testing costs are real challenges that affect the sustainability of their businesses. The transport sector, like many others, is grappling with inflationary pressures and regulatory costs. However, the solution cannot be a one-sided adjustment that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable.
What is needed is a balanced, consultative approach that recognises the interdependence between operators and commuters. A transport system cannot function if either side is pushed to the brink.
The government has a critical role to play in this regard. As the regulator of taxi fares, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport must ensure that any adjustments are fair, evidence-based and socially responsible. This includes exploring mechanisms to cushion both operators and commuters — whether through targeted subsidies, tax relief, or phased fare adjustments.
Equally important is transparency. If a consultant’s report forms the basis of the proposed M23 fare, its findings should be made public and subjected to scrutiny. Stakeholders must understand how the figure was arrived at and whether alternative models were considered.
There is also a need to address inefficiencies within the system. Operators have raised concerns about malfunctioning testing equipment and steep regulatory fees. These are areas where government intervention could reduce operational costs without passing the burden onto commuters.
The threat by operators to withdraw services if the fare increase is rejected is particularly concerning. While it underscores the urgency of their situation, it also risks escalating tensions and disrupting livelihoods. Public transport cannot be held hostage to unresolved disputes. Dialogue, not ultimatums, should guide the way forward.
Ultimately, this is not just about fares. It is about fairness, sustainability and the social contract between service providers and the public. A transport system that prices out its users is one that undermines itself.
The proposed M23 fare, in its current form, fails this test. It is a blunt instrument applied to a delicate situation. Without careful reconsideration and meaningful engagement, it risks doing more harm than good.
In an economy where every Loti counts, decisions of this magnitude must be made with empathy, prudence and a clear understanding of their human impact. Taxi operators may be justified in seeking relief from rising costs, but the solution cannot come at the expense of those least able to bear it.
Public sector reform an urgent necessity