Dolphin Coast Taxi Association demands fees from Uber and Bolt operators
Tensions rise as taxi bosses and E-hailing drivers clash
The Dolphin Coast Taxi Association is demanding ‘protection money’ from local Uber and Bolt operators that they claim will be used for the mutal benefit of both services.
This is in response to a stand-off between taxi bosses and Uber and Bolt operators in dispute over transport service rights.
The drivers say they have little choice but to cough up the weekly fee of R600 to continue operating in Ballito.
The association is determined to restrict the number of e-hailing services operating locally.
More than a hundred e-hailing drivers are reportedly active in Ballito at the moment, but the association is adamant this should be reduced to 25.
The reasoning behind its demand, according to taxi association spokesperson Siyabonga Ntombela, is that many e-hailing drivers operate illegally.
“They are supposed to operate only based on app requests but in Ballito we find them parked at malls and approaching people to offer rides home, which we simply cannot allow,” said Ntombela.
“We are the legal route operators in this area, and no one else is allowed to open a rank or load passengers. Using taxis for staff transportation is also a safer option because passengers are protected by passenger liability cover.”
Another bone of contention is the influx of e-hailing drivers from outside the Dolphin Coast.
Ntombela said research conducted by the association found that only 25 Uber and Bolt drivers are local and actually own their cars.
“The rest are from areas outside the Dolphin Coast, some as far away as ‘Maritzburg. It cannot be a free-for-all, because in other areas there is control. We have been quiet for too long and they have taken advantage of this.”
The association is currently finalising a list of local drivers it feels can be permitted to work in Ballito and is negotiating with a security company to provide protection.
Ntombela confirmed e-hailing drivers will have to pay the taxi association a weekly fee of R600 for the security company.
“This might come across as extortion, but it is not. The fees will not even cover the security bill. As an association, we will contribute and handle the balance. These guards will not only protect the Uber and Bolt drivers but also monitor the behaviour of taxi drivers in Ballito.”
He added that apart from drivers of patrol vehicles, no guards will be armed.
Bolt Africa public relations manager, Sandra Buyole, said they were aware of the harassment of their drivers in Ballito and condemned any form of intimidation.
“Everyone has the right to earn a living and move around without the risk of harm and coercion. Bolt does not compete with minibus taxis. We are an essential component of multimodal public transport, providing an important option for passengers. We are committed to working with all stakeholders in the transport industry to find a way for all parties to work alongside each other. All South Africans should have access to effective and safe transport,” said Buyole.
Uber spokesperson Gaopalelwe Laka said they take incidents of intimidation seriously as the safety and well-being of drivers and clients using the Uber platform is a priority.
iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO Cobus Oelofse said the Chamber is aware of some of the issues raised.
The matters have not been escalated to the provincial Public Transport Forum, and he expressed the hope that the issues will be managed at a local level.
“The issues raised are however not unique and the public transport model that Uber and other e-hailing services present is undoubtedly a disruption to traditional minibus and metered taxi services. The Chamber has however engaged with the law enforcement authorities about feedback of unregistered Uber drivers operating, while the parking of these vehicles is also a growing concern that will be escalated if the issue persists. This is also a good reminder for all role-players that the aim of the public transport industry is to ultimately serve the commuter public’s interest in a safe and reliable way,” said Oelofse.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the National Land Transport Amendment Bill into law last week.
According to the bill, e-hailing drivers must now apply for operating licences like other modes of public transport.
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