THOUSANDS who rely on the minibus taxi industry for transport and employment faced uncertainty as the Ministry and Department of Transport prescribed a 50 per cent loading limit on taxis, before shifting the limit back to 100 percent and then settling on 70 per cent.
In a statement released this morning, the department said the taxi industry had opposed the 50 per cent loading capacity which was intended to promote social distancing within public transport amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
“The unintended consequence of this reduction was an industry operating at a loss as a result of these regulations,” said Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.
The harsh reality of this financial loss is felt by Vusi Ngqulunga, a taxi driver who works in uMhlanga. He said his job is on the line as the taxi industry takes a hit during lockdown.
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“My boss told me to stop working because I was not making enough money. I was just working to cover petrol costs. I am not sure if I’ll still have a job after lockdown. It’s affecting me a lot. I’m not working at the moment and I am struggling. I don’t have an income at all. In the taxi industry, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. I’m living day by day and right now, I’m sitting at home, using up my savings,” he said.
According to Mbalula, proposals for both 70 per cent and 100 per cent loading capacities were considered although, N95 Respiratory Masks were stated as a pre-condition for all passengers.
He said members of the public were not comfortable with the proposed 100 per cent capacity and urged the department to reconsider.
The Ministry and the Department then rescinded the direction allowing 100 per cent loading capacity and set the limit at 70 per cent.
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“We urge the taxi industry to accept these declared measures. New ministerial directions to this effect will be published in due course for immediate implementation,” said Mbalula.
“We further urge members of the public and taxi operators to take preventative measures to mitigate against the spread of the virus. Government will undertake a programme to assist with the distribution of the masks. We also urge operators to continue to sanitise the taxi surfaces and to provide hand sanitisers to the public,” added Mbalula.
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