‘Disrupting other people’s lives unfair’ — transport minister to taxis

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has expressed concern at the manner in which Monday’s taxi strike in and around Johannesburg has adversely affected commuters and the economy at large.

Scores of commuters around the Johannesburg area were left stranded following a strike by taxi operators affiliated to the United Taxi Alliance Front (UTAF) in the taxi industry that was not properly communicated in advance to warn commuters to arrange alternative transport. Commuters in Randfontein were not affected.

The minister has also berated reports of violent conduct by some of the striking operators who apparently intimidated taxi operators who didn’t participate in the strike and other motorists in general.

“While we note the concerns raised by the operators organized under the banner of UTAF and their right to protest as enshrined in the Constitution, it should equally be appreciated that disrupting other people’s lives is unfair and regressive.

“The most unfortunate thing about the stated reasons behind the protest action is that the issues being raised are currently subjects of discussions between the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and organized taxi industry under the leadership of the country’s two biggest associations, SA National Taxi Council and National Taxi Alliance,” Peters said.

The stakeholder committee under the leadership of MEC Ismael Vadi is primarily looking at challenges around the issuing of operating permits.

“I want to reassure the taxi industry that government has no intention of going back on its commitment to exempt the industry from e-tolling. However taxis should be properly registered with a valid operator permit to be considered for exemption,” Peters said.

The Minister has conceded that challenges currently being experienced in the issuing of operator permits have had a negative impact on the exemption of taxis from paying e-tolls. She has however expressed confidence that the processes being carried out by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport would soon yield positive results.

“The taxi industry is a key stakeholder in the transport sector. Their role in society and the economy can never be over-emphasized. The industry contributes at least R40bn to the economy annually. On any given day they transport more than 67 per cent of the commuting public in the country. This is more than what trains and buses can do put together,” Peters said.

He continued “The department of Transport will continue to work towards maintaining good and productive relations with the taxi industry and our door remains open. We encourage and call upon the industry leadership to use this avenue without causing any unnecessary inconvenience to the commuting public and the economy.

“The industry has made and is making very positive strides in its endeavors to turnaround its image and is providing a safe, reliable and dependable service to commuters. We commend this and encourage the industry to continue this trend.”

Related articles:

Randfontein unaffected by taxi strike