Pretoria – The Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, is concerned at the manner in which Monday’s taxi operator strike adversely affected commuters and the economy at large, says the Department of Transport.
The Minister is further concerned at the reports of violence and intimidation towards operators who did not participate in the strike and other motorists.
Commuters in Johannesburg’s city centre were stranded yesterday morning when taxi operators affiliated to the United Taxi Alliance Front (UTAF) went on strike. Commuters were not warned in advance to make alternative arrangements.
“While we note the concerns raised by the operators organised under the banner of UTAF and their right to protest as enshrined in the Constitution, it should equally be appreciated that disrupting other people’s lives is unfair and regressive.
“The most unfortunate thing about the stated reasons behind the protest action is that the issues being raised are currently subjects of discussions between the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and organised taxi industry under the leadership of the country’s two biggest associations, SA National Taxi Council and National Taxi Alliance,” said Minister Peters.
The stakeholder committee, led by Transport MEC Ismael Vadi, is primarily looking at challenges around the issuing of operating permits.
“I want to reassure the taxi industry that government has no intention of going back on its commitment to exempt the industry from e-tolling.
“However, taxis should be properly registered with a valid operator permit to be considered for exemption,” said the Minister.
While conceding that the challenges currently being experienced in the issuing of operator permits have had a negative impact on the exemption of taxis from paying e-tolls, she was confident the processes being carried out by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport would soon yield positive results.
Minister Peters said the taxi industry was a key stakeholder in the transport sector.
“Their role in society and the economy can never be over-emphasized. The industry contributes at least R40 billion to the economy annually. On any given day they transport more than 67% of the commuting public in the country. This is more than what trains and buses can do put together,” said the Minister.
She added that the department will continue to work towards maintaining good and productive relations with the taxi industry and that “our door remains open”.
“We encourage and call upon the industry leadership to use this avenue without causing any unnecessary inconvenience to the commuting public and the economy.
“The industry has made and is making very positive strides in its endeavors to turnaround its image and is providing a safe, reliable and dependable service to commuters. We commend this and encourage the industry to continue this trend.” – SAnews.gov.za
