Taxi industry pushes Minister Creecy for better regulation

Taxi industry members have urged newly appointed Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, to speed up regulation.

Speaking at the South African Transport conference in Pretoria, they welcomed her appointment – adding that they eagerly await changes in the sector.

The CEO of the Eastern Cape Transport Tertiary Co-operative, Dr. Nokuthula Mbebe, said government has been slow to regulate the industry.

She hopes Creecy will tackle long-standing issues like safety and capacity.

With government’s support, she added that digital technology can benefit the industry nationwide.

A new project spearheaded by the Eastern Cape taxi industry and private company, Forus Digital, will equip over 60 000 taxis in that province with cameras and cashless payment systems to improve safety.

Amid concerns that the new technology would increase taxi fare, Forus Digital CEO, Mary Brennan, assured commuters that the changes will prioritise safety and sustainability without increasing costs.

According to taxi body, Santaco, the taxi sector makes around R40 billion each year and employs over 600 000 people. However, safety concerns and lack of proper regulation have resulted in significant revenue losses, with the World Bank estimating it loses at-least R10 billion per year. Written by Naomi Kobbie