Armsta hopes for clarity from transport dept on Coronavirus mitigation
ALEXANDRA– Taxi association worries of potential ruin from Coronavirus
The Alexandra taxi operators are bracing for heavy financial losses due to the coronavirus outbreak.
This was said by Motlanalo Tsebe, public relations officer for the Alexandra Randburg Midrand and Sandton Taxi Association (Armsta) as its members heed the call for all stakeholders to collaborate in mitigating the effects of the scourge. He said despite the association not having been consulted for input, it will adhere to the pronouncement of the state of disaster as expected from law-abiding persons and business.
“We contribute to the national economy by transporting citizens who due to social and economic status are likely to be most impacted by the scourge,” Tsebe said of the millions of commuters who rely on public transport daily.
This Tsebe said in anticipation of further clarity from the Department of Transport on how the collaborative effort in the sector will pan out through a roll-out plan to be announced by Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula. “We don’t know where and when this will occur and hope he will hear out our concerns then.
In the interim, Tsebe said the association anticipated to spend millions of rands. “We will spend about R250 000 per month for the safety of commuters in our 900 registered members’ vehicles on sanitiser liquid and spray bottles.” The sanitizer will be delivered to their four main ranks at Pan Africa Mall, at MTN, Midrand and Randburg.
All 35 staff members at their Wynberg head office were issued with hand sanitiser for daily personal use and gloves are still anticipated. “Drivers will draw daily supplies from the drums and with the bottles, spray passengers’ hands as they board and will ask them to help to spray those who board midway.
“It would have been more expensive and impractical to sanitise all the vehicles at about R450 000 daily. They would have had to wait for three hours before being boarded.”
Also, he found the social distancing measure impractical. “It would be economic ruin to carry less than the maximum number of passengers per taxi. But the drivers encourage them not talk facing each other to hopefully limit direct transmission from those who would be infected.”
He anticipates the government will understand and rescue the industry from potential financial collapse in the end. “Already, the operators cash in half the normal daily income with companies letting employees work from home.”
Tsebe urged those who stigmatise the origin of the virus to refrain from doing so. “We know its origin and criticising that country helps no one. “We should rally collectively to mitigate its impact.”
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/alex-news/159619/covid-19-patients-infect-others-may-face-murder-charges/
Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za)
