Commuters want taxi owners to include them in decision-making

Standerton commuters are upset because they are allegedly not consulted by the the Standerton Taxi Association when making decisions.

A resident alleged that they have to walk all the way to town because the taxis to town are not allowed to pick up passengers anymore.

According to commuters, the decisions of the association affect them directly and they need to be consulted or at least be informed of any changes.

“I was waiting at a taxi stop and got into a taxi.

“The owners instructed the driver to take me to the taxi rank because they are not allowed to pick up passengers,“ a passenger said.

She was late for work and was given a warning.

Passengers are furious and according to one of the drivers, people say they are rude, but they say they only obey orders from the taxi owners.

“The owners do not care about people and their rights and do not even care about the elderly who are not able to get to the taxi rank, ” a taxi driver said.

Mr MJ Ntshangase, chairman of the association, confirmed that taxis are not allowed to pick up passengers around town.

“The taxis only pick up passengers at the taxi rank and the main road (Beyers Naudé Street), so as not to disturb traffic,” Mr Ntshangase said.

He also said passengers must only use the taxis that have permits, not the “pirate” taxis.

According to him, taxis that have a Kasselman sticker are the only ones passengers should use.

“We are trying to keep passengers safe and they should respect the law.”