Taxi Territory Fights
Stranded commuters are being transported by Zola taxi drivers until a solution is found.
Meadowlands and Baragwanath taxis have been at loggerheads for four weeks now.
The fight started on September 24 after a disagreement about the routes between the two taxi associations.
Territorial domination over the Baragwanath to Dobsonville route is the reason for the fights.
Baragwanath Meadowlands Taxi Association (BMTA) claims that, Meadowlands Taxi Association (MDN) initiated the crisis by refusing to use stickers.
According to BMTA spokesperson Enock Tshivhase the stickers are given to MDN and BMTA as means of regulation.
The aim of the stickers is to ensure that all the taxis are given a fair chance in using the same routes.
“Meadowlands Taxi Association approached our kombi squads and informed them they will not be using the stickers and will use this route as and when they want,” alleges Tshivhase.
According to Tshepo Moloi, spokesperson for MDN, the feud over routes dates back to the early 90s.
“MDN and BMTA have both been awarded an operating licence for the same routes, Baragwanath to Dobsonville, but our taxis (MDN) are not allowed to collect people from Baragwanath anymore,” said Moloi.
Tshivhase urges government to intervene.
“You cannot have two associations using one route, this is the only shared route in Soweto, government needs to do something”, said Tshivhase.
Many commuters have been left stranded since the taxi strike.
“I get into a taxi that ranks in Zola and I live in Mzimhlophe, but when I go back I wait long for taxis and I fear they may get violent,” said Kirileng Tshabalala, a passenger.
Meanwhile stranded commuters are being transported by Zola taxi drivers which previously did not operate in the area.
This is following an arrangement between the route bosses while they attempt to resolve the feud.
“We are in meetings about the strike and are hoping by this week the taxis will be operating normally.
“In the meantime Zola taxis are helping with the backlog,” said Moloi.
He requested for commuters to be patient while they attempt to resolve the tiff.
They must resolve this already, I had to wait in queue in Bara for almost an hour the other day with some taxis refusing to take people on that route for fear of the violence. Thank you, now we understand what is happening ,they must resolve this because it is us commuters who suffer