#UberStrike: Drivers gather at Zoo Lake due to low prices [VIDEO]
PARKVIEW – The drivers discussed how the app-based transport services did not take into consideration the recent fuel hikes and value-added tax as their fares had stayed the same.
There was a strike at Zoo Lake this morning where about a hundred drivers on 18 June, where a large group of drivers gathered to hand over a memorandum. Watch Stephen Bhebhe of Ehasa explain the reason for the strike in the video below.
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette journalist, Koketso Ratsatsi, was at the scene.
UPDATE: 9PM
The drivers discussed how the app-based transport services did not take into consideration the recent fuel hikes and value-added tax as their fares had stayed the same.
Uber partner and driver Cosmos Mdlolo said he found it inconsiderate that their demands were not heard.
“Uber and Taxify contribute a lot to South Africa’s economy because we spend a lot of money on petrol and are always changing our tyres. We also buy the cars from specific car brands because only certain brands are allowed to be used,” said Mdlolo.
A kilometre is charged for only R7.00 and the drivers find this low, the partnered drivers said.
“Some of the clients want you to take freeways and they tend to be long routes. Petrol rates have increased about seven times but the charges for a ride are still the same. What about service plans and maintenance of the car,” asked eHailing Association of South Africa vice chairperson, Stephen Bhebhe.
General manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa, Alon Lits, said the strike is the first in the business.
Ahead of the strike this morning, Lits said, “We are aware of a small group of driver-partners who are planning on going offline (not using the app) today. We respect driver-partners as valuable partners with a voice and a choice and we want driver-partners to feel they can talk to us about anything at any time.
“Uber succeeds when our partners succeed, the 25 per cent service fee is designed in a way to ensure that the business is sustainable for both Uber and our driver-partners.”
According to Fin24, a spokesperson for Taxify said that in response to the impact of the petrol hike on Taxify partnered-drivers, some of the rates had been adjusted, such that the trips would be charged at R0.75 a kilometre, making the cost for every kilometre R7.50.
Johannesburg Metro police spokesperson, Edna Mamonyane, said they sent their officers to monitor what was happening at Zoo Lake and found there was no violence taking place.
“We got a tip-off that there were a lot of people and cars at corner Jan Smuts Avenue and Lower Park Drive so we sent officers to guard in case a potential attack from meter taxi drivers arises as well as making sure that there is safety,” said Mamonyane.
The union’s leaders were then said to go on to submit a memorandum of their concerns to the Uber offices in Parktown North and the Taxify offices in Bryanston.
More to follow.
VISE Chairperson of Ehasa, Stephen Bhebhe explained why the @taxify_za and @uber drivers are striking. @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/L5sGIkokHP
— Koketso Ratsatsi⚖️ (@KoketsoRatsats3) June 18, 2018
Partner and driver @uber Cosmos Mdlalo explained what they would like the outcome to be after submitting the memorandum. @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/DmaUri7FYz
— Koketso Ratsatsi⚖️ (@KoketsoRatsats3) June 18, 2018
@Taxify and @Uber drivers are currently hosting a meeting at the #ZooLake in Parkview. @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/rZO5haHqTy
— Koketso Ratsatsi⚖️ (@KoketsoRatsats3) June 18, 2018
The drivers are striking for their safety and price hikes. @RK_Gazette
— Koketso Ratsatsi⚖️ (@KoketsoRatsats3) June 18, 2018
The TAXIFY UBER STRIKE IS IN FULL FORCE pic.twitter.com/UW3IMNjghX
— Mabaso (@Perfect_Mabaso) June 18, 2018
Situation right now at Zoo Lake #UberStrike @Radio702 @eNCA @Powerfm987 @POWER987News pic.twitter.com/YUUDhswvjH
— Nonsindiso (@NonsindisSibeko) June 18, 2018
Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/230394/tech-thursday-parliament-makes-inroads-regulating-apps-like-uber/
