By Buziwe Nocuze
- Santaco Western Cape has decided not to add the usual R50 increase to long-distance taxi fares this festive season.
- Local Khayelitsha taxi fares will also remain unchanged at R17.
Long-distance minibus taxi passengers and those commuting locally in the Western Cape have been spared fare increases this festive season.
Western Cape taxi passengers got good news when Santaco said it won’t add the usual R50 to long-distance fares for those travelling both inter-provincially and inter-city commuting this December.
Western Cape Santaco Chairperson Mandla Hermanus made the announcement at Codeta’s year-end event in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
“We are not expecting to see or hear news of taxis asking passengers to pay an extra R50 this year,” he said.
Hermanus also spoke about passenger safety, asking taxi owners not to force drivers to make return trips without proper rest.
“If the taxi owner wants his vehicle to return to the Western Cape, then they must have two drivers to relieve each other,” he said.
He said working with the government to limit taxi speeds to 100km/h has reduced accidents. Hermanus asked passengers to be patient when drivers need breaks.
BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane, who attended the event, supported a proposed R3-million government grant for the taxi industry.
“The taxi industry is the most important in the country’s economy; we must look after this asset,” he said.
Codeta president Fikile George said their offices will stay open during the holidays. He also warned drivers to stop demanding extortion fees, saying it damages the association’s name.
George added that local Khayelitsha taxi fares will stay at R17.
Passenger Luzuko Ludidi welcomed the news but hopes fares will come down next year.
“We hope that next year they will decrease the money by R50. The R900 and R950 that we are paying is too much,” said Ludidi.
Pictured above: In the closing of the year ceremony organised by Codeta in Khayelitsha township, Santaco announced that they won’t increase the transport money by R50.
Source: Buziwe Nocuze.
