Taxi fare price increases are almost inevitable in June. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
Wednesday has been a nightmare for Tshwane passengers as taxi services come to a standstill as the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) embarks on a march over outstanding Covid-19 relief fund payments.
The aim of the march is to hand over a memorandum of grievances to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and President Cyril Ramaphosa, in light of the taxi association not having received any of the more than R1 billion in Covid-19 relief funds which where promised by Mbalula during lockdown in June.
At the time, Mbalula said government had noted that the taxi industry had operated at less than 60% of its size, which led to massive losses in income.
On Wednesday morning, the Tshwane Bus Service announced that one of its busses had been hijacked in the Orchards area, north of the City, allegedly by taxi drivers. On other routes, passengers were kicked and forced out of the buses.
“At our meeting with the taxi industry yesterday they indicated that the protest would start at 10am and that it would be peaceful, hence we allowed our buses to operate early this morning and we were going to withdraw them just before the protest got underway. Our drivers have been warned to not operate in the Orchards area.
“We have also received reports of some blockages in various parts of the city, including along Solomon Mahlangu Road, in the east of the City. With this we have to recall all our buses to the depot,” said the Tshwane Bus Service.
SAPS and Tshwane Metro Police Department have been notified of this incident.
The Bara City Taxi Owners Association has sent out a message to commuters that none of its taxis will be running on Wednesday due to the march, and they should make other transport arrangements.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says learners writing exams today will be given a maximum of an hour to arrive late. They’re also allowed to write their exam at any school closer to them.
According to the Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), taxi operators have blocked off the N1 North at the N17.
Traffic is heavily backed up from Soweto Highway.
“Motorists are advised to avoid and to use Soweto Highway as an alternative route,” said the JMPD.
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