Covid-19: Taxi industry experiences teething problems on day one of lockdown
Joburg – There were reports from some commuters of taxis full of passengers.
The South African Taxi Council (Santaco) said they were not properly consulted regarding the regulations implemented by the 21-day lockdown as day one did not go smoothly for some taxi associations.
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said that taxis would only be operating from 5am to 9am and then again in the afternoon from 4pm to 9pm. Each ride would be limited to seven passengers, similar regulations were put in place for e-hailing services who can only transport one passenger per vehicle.
When the announcement was made, the taxi council tweeted, “We are more worried. Only 10 per cent of taxis will be operational. There’s at least 200 000 drivers, 100 000 queue marshals and 500 admin staff in associations who may not be salaried. Then you have the owners as well. What about hawkers who make money as a result of taxi rank operations?”
Santaco and the government were in consultation about the lockdown, however, Santaco believes their consultation was not thorough in terms of compensation, according to their tweet. They did, however, agree with the Minister of Transport to work together during the lockdown.
That's not even the issue @abasei_Ralushai UIF and registration of business, the issues are still the same. We say, the President has announced compensation for those govt wants at home. We not getting dept of Transport to crunch the numbers n make this work. https://t.co/vHnLtk8xuX
— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) March 26, 2020
The council also responded to reports of commuters forcing drivers to load taxis at full capacity, they have clarified this is illegal and urged drivers to comply with social distancing. It said that due to the problems they experienced on day one, they predicted the same for the next few days if there is no proper collaboration with commuters.
Commuters must talk to us if they being forced into taxis that exceed the legal number https://t.co/znMo6iiIpm
— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) March 27, 2020
This matter is being attended pic.twitter.com/EAqfotnoz6
— SANTACO (@SA_Taxis) March 27, 2020
Mbalula said in a statement that he had spoken to Santaco president Philip Taaibosch who reassured him that taxi associations will comply during the lockdown, he said he was encouraged by the commitment made by them to play their part to fight Covid-19.
Mbalula also explained that employers of essential workers who finish work before 4pm (when taxi services become available), should provide their staff with transport.
GOV Regulations stipulate that the Employer must provide staff transport for its essential service workers in that instance.
That transport must not carry more than 50% of its capacity. https://t.co/8JKLpdX45h
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) March 27, 2020
I am receiving many reports on this. Taxi drivers aren’t allowed to charge people for empty seats.
I will interact with the Taxi-unions on this and it shouldn’t be allowed to continue.
We must all work together- not for our own interest but for that of our people. https://t.co/9Vyfx0r1Qm
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) March 27, 2020
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/247671/no-load-shedding-expected-covid-19-lockdown/
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