Travellers warned to avoid phony taxi services at airports

TRAVELERS have been urged to avoid bogus taxi operators at King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport.

The warning comes from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) which is joining forces with law enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal taxi operators. 

ACSA spokesperson Refentse Shinners urged passengers to pre-book e-hailing services through an online app service, saying phony taxi drivers solicit business directly from arriving passengers.

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“Official e-hailing service providers may only operate via an approved app and are not authorised to directly solicit business from people. Hence, we know that these fake operators are not legitimate hailing service drivers but independent drivers who are soliciting business illegally,” says Shinners.

“ACSA does not condone this informal practice and has been working with various security agencies, particularly the South African Police Service (SAPS), to address the issue. We are concerned that the safety of our passengers may be compromised if they continue to use illegal operators who do not have the requisite licenses or permits to operate,” continued Shinners.

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ACSA said areas outside the terminal are “landside” areas that are open to the general public.

“The airport terminal is open to all and, as such, operators sometimes enter the terminal under the guise of collecting a passenger, friend or family member, or needing to use the airport facilities,” said Shinners.

ACSA said licensed e-hailing service providers have been engaging with ACSA around the problem.

“Together with our stakeholders, we are confident we will find a lasting solution to dealing with illegal and unauthorised taxi operators,” noted Shinners.  

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