There is good news for local taxi commuters.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Western Cape says it will not be increasing its fees on 1 July.
This after taxi associations in other parts of the country indicated fares will go up as drivers and taxi owners are suffering under Covid-19 regulations.
The industry suffered a loss of income during the lockdown with less commuters, and now can only load vans to 70% of capacity.
“We felt that we are not going to increase fees because we are putting our commuters first.
“We are transporting the poor of the poorest in our communities,” Santaco’s regional spokesman Nazeem Abdurahman said.
He said there are still a few matters to be straightened out.
With regards to government’s offer of financial relief, he said they wanted the money to be paid directly into their bank accounts.
He says the stipulation that only registered taxi owners could benefit should be scrapped.
“Also, taxis travelling locally should be allowed to carry 100% capacity as long as people have their masks on,” he added.
Santaco Western Cape chairperson Nazeem Abdurahman. Video: Velani Ludidi
This comes as thousands of commuters in Gauteng were left stranded yesterday after taxi drivers went on a strike over the government’s proposed relief fund.
The organisation said it was protesting the R1.135 billion Covid-19 relief package, which it deems wholly inadequate to make up for revenue lost.
Government has said the relief package was not meant to replace the lost income.
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za