Taxis with non-complying advertisements discontinued

The Department of Transport, Safety, Security and Liaison has embarked on the implementation of the National Transport Act 05 of 2009 by discontinuing taxis with non-translucent advertising since last Monday.
“Taxi owners and operators are very angry with the department but they had more than enough time to comply with the act. The regulation states that every minibus or midibus that operates as public transport must comply with the standard branding of being white in colour with a marking of the South African flag and name and address of the owner only,” departmental Spokesperson on traffic Kagiso Mootane said.
She added that translucent advertising or logo shall be applied to the rear window of a minibus or midibus operating taxi-type service, unless the material or film of the advertisement complies with the provisions of regulation 202(3) in order that the material not distract the view of the driver.
“An operator who fails to comply with these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding R5 000 and the relevant regulator entity may suspend or withdraw the relevant operating licence or permit of the operator,” Mootane said.
Allegations made by a political party of taxis displaying the party’s brand being targeted and impounded were denied by Mootane.
She made it clear that taxis are not impounded but discontinued meaning that the licence disc is removed until the taxi complies with the regulation.
Mootane said the department has been implementing the act since last Monday but was not able to provide a figure on how many taxis have been discontinued thus far.

Story: RC Myburgh
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