The launch kicked off on Tuesday afternoon at the main Springs Taxi Rank.
Pandacom says according to Statistics SA, less than half of South African households have access to the internet which means that the vast majority of those who lack this vital resource are from townships and rural areas.
In the first phase of the project, commuters will have the chance to access free Wifi connectivity within the bounds of the targeted ranks.
Pandocom’s Daya Bramdaw says that the solution will offer commuters access to an education portal that will host job ports, health information, a financial literacy course, small business enterprise development workshops and even sports news.
“In our next plans for taxi drivers there will also be a TETA-certified driver training skills programme, tips on defensive and offensive driving techniques and even a first aid and firefighting course.
“This is only the first phase and on successful completion of the driver training skills programme, Pandocom intends to provide Wifi access with the taxis,” says Bramdaw.
Taxi associations were pleased with this new development seeing that it will be an opportunity to make their commuters’ lives easier.
President of the Top 6 Taxi Management, Isaiah Nkosi, states that the timing of this launch is perfect, as it is being done during National Transport Month.
“The taxi industry is a crucial link in connecting South Africans with their homes, workplaces, friends and family.
“Now commuters will have the opportunity of accessing a different kind of connection, the internet, while saving on their side, which we are happy about,” says Nkosi.
Rochelle Josiah of Pandocom adds that thanks to this initiative, commuters will now benefit from the freedom of accessing content without the constraints of network speed or coverage issues.
She says the trouble with the digital revolution is that everything moves at a faster rate, hence if you are not connected, you get left behind.
It is therefore necessary to not only bridge the digital gap, but to do so in a manner that impacts the largest number of people in the country.
