Transport department seeks to regulate e-hailing

The National Department of Transport wants to regulate e-hailing to clamp down on the ongoing clashes between taxi associations and e-hailers.

Deputy Minister of Transport Lisa Mangcu recently told The Witness that the department is looking at formalising e-hailing operations to end the reported threats and intimidation directed at e-hailing operators around the country.

Mangcu said he is aware of the incidents of alleged intimidation and hopes that the seventh administration will finalise the signing of the National Land Transport Amendment Bill (B7-2016), which seeks to resolve regulatory issues and formalise e-hailing services.

Mangcu said the bill was passed by Parliament on December 7.

“Taxi operators carry certain permits, so we know who’s who and operating on which routes. The same should apply to all operators in the industry. We don’t condone crime and violence in our ranks, so regulating e-hailers seeks to address that,” he said.

The Citizen recently reported a scenario in which e-hailers in Ballito were allegedly threatened by minibus operators to pay a R20 000 ‘mandatory joining fee’ and an additional R1 000 monthly payment if they wanted to operate in Ballito.

It was reported that failure to comply with the demands could result in ‘trouble’.

“I am aware of intimidation reports. The only way to sort this out is through regulation. We have already [made] some amendments to the National Land Transport Act [5 of 2009], which is the one that governs public transport.

“Although the legislation has not been signed off, the aim is to regularise e-hailing services. By regularising, I mean they must have permits – it must be known who they are and that the drivers are competent.

“Remember, just like with the minibus taxi industry, we expect a driver to have a particular kind of license, which he or she gets tested for, something which is not enforceable on the e-hailing operators because they are not regulated.

“This is something we are attending to through legislative amendments, which I’m sure the seventh administration will be able to finalise immediately at the beginning of their term. We do not, however, encourage any form of violence regardless of whether e-hailing services should be there or not. We don’t encourage violent behaviour.

“It is not right that people should be scared to walk on the roads or to spaza shops. When crime manifests itself in a place like a public transport facility, we are concerned because this is where people must find safety to and from work,” said Mangcu.

A Pietermaritzburg Bolt driver, who asked to remain anonymous, said people are using their service because it is convenient and safe.

“Be that as it may, the minibus operators are jealous and they intimidate us. Some people prefer the comfort and safety that comes with using our service.

“The department should fast-track the signing of the bill,” he said.

Meanwhile, South African National Taxi Organisation regional chairperson Themba Mweli said they are against e-hailing services and that they will challenge attempts to have it forced into the industry.

“We are having a policy conference in Polokwane next week and we will raise this issue with the department. Who are the owners of these vehicles? Where are they registered? Because minibus taxis are documented. This is one issue that will be challenged strongly at that conference,” Mweli said.