Taxi industry suffers due to lockdown policy

The restriction of public transport during the 21-day national lockdown has seen a drastic drop in taxi operations in and around Roodepoort.

The usually predominantly busy roads such as Beyers Naudé Drive, and Ontdekkers, Hendrik Potgieter and Main Reef Roads are relatively quiet since the commencement of the lockdown which was declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa and enforced by the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.

The prominent taxi association in our area, the Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Leratong, Johannesburg Taxi Association (DORLJOTA) is among many taxi associations that drastically reduced the numbers of their fleet on the roads.

The spokesperson for DORLJOTA, Itumeleng Chambata, said they had no choice but to comply with the decision made by government, although it has affected taxi owners negatively.

“After the declaration by the Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, the number of taxis on the road was reduced. We are only allowed to operate between 5am and 9am, and 4pm and 8pm to transport retail and other essential-services staff to and from their workplaces,” he said.

He added that the protocol only allows them to ferry about seven passengers in comparison to the usual load of 13 to 14 people. “We are transporting less commuters during this period to comply with health regulations, which require people to have a considerable space between them,” he explained.

Chambata also explained that special identification has been provided for taxi marshals to monitor the taxi operators to ensure compliance with the law.

He said the minimum number of passengers has affected many taxi owners negatively, most of whom now having to beg the unforgiving banks for leniency. “It’s hectic because some owners still owe on these vehicles, so now they will be forced to make payment arrangements with the banks, which won’t be an easy task for many,” he lamented, alluding to the risk of repossession.