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July 04, 2006
Ouagadougou taxi-drivers gambling on international markets
Three in the front and four in the back is the legal limit for taxis in Ouagadougou.
Ouaga's ubiquitous lime-green taxis are an assortment of mostly run-down old Peugeots, Toyotas and even Mercedes, mostly with little in the way of suspension, and often with a suspicious lack of steering or brakes. The taxi-driver rarely owns his own vehicle, usually renting it from some enterprising and presumably wealthy patron.
A fare wage...?
The going rate is 200cfa (20p) for a single journey - that is, a journey in or out of town on one of the main tarmac roads. If you want to be dropped off at your door, needing a diversion from the main road, be prepared to pay extra. Or, if you want to cross the centre of town to a suburb on the other side, you will either need to take a second taxi, or negotiate for the full journey for a higher price. 20p for a taxi ride of a few miles isn't bad for the client, but it is no wonder the drivers cram the passengers in.
The taxi-driver has a hard job making a living. He can spend about 12 hours on the job, looking for passengers at 20p a time. Out of the money he receives he has to pay rent for the car and of course buy fuel, and presumably pay tax and insurance.
Oil prices and the man on the street
Recent international oil price rises have pushed fuel prices in Burkina Faso up by 40%, causing a 3-day strike by the taxi-drivers. They wanted the right to put up fares to 300cfa, but were not allowed to do so. They have been forced to continue at 200cfa, and to take an effective cut in their already meagre income. Taxi drivers in Ouaga are looking grim these days. They have no alternative but to continue, gambling without understanding on the international oil markets, hoping that the next wind will blow for once in their favour.
If ever you take a taxi in Ouaga, you might want to remember this. Don't be too aggressive about haggling for your price, or complaining about the crowded taxi. What is the journey worth to you? What would you pay for it back home? And if you as a rich tourist can easily afford the extra 10p that may help buy the driver's children's dinner, should you worry if he charges you extra just because you are white?
Can't you afford to be taken for a ride...?
Tags: burkina burkina faso africa ouagadougou travel taxis
Posted by Keith at July 4, 2006 08:31 AM
Comments
Aahhh, yes the taxi's in Niamey are similar (as I'm sure you already know!). We were in one once with a rattling sound in the boot (trunk), turned out they were gas cylinders rolling around in there!
Posted by: Amanda at July 4, 2006 10:09 AM
May God bless you as you go the extra mile to help these taxi-drivers whenever you can...Blessings
Posted by: Donna at July 4, 2006 10:17 PM
Do you have anymore pictures to post???
Posted by: Donna at July 7, 2006 11:24 AM
Thanks keith for that great insight. I remember my first time in West Africa as a young (in spirituality and maturity as well as age) 20 year old haggling for everything without understanding the cost to the seller for my sense of acheivement at buying something dirt cheap. I too remember the insight you gave me in the markets of Gorom Gorom into negotiating a *fair* price (all round) for something. Its important for us rich white folk to recognise, both on the small exchanges on holiday and the big exchanges in international trade, that we do not have a right to get things as cheap as possible and that there are consequences when we do. Keep it up!
Posted by: simon at July 9, 2006 11:04 PM
