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By Dylan Bettencourt
- Auswest Taxi Association will raise trip prices by R2 on 10 April because petrol costs are too high for drivers.
- Wentworth and Austerville passengers are upset and want clean vehicles and respectful drivers before paying more money for a trip.
Residents in Wentworth and Austerville are angry because their local taxi fares are going up.
From 10 April, passengers will pay R2 more for every trip. A trip from Wentworth to the Durban CBD will go from R18 to R20. Passengers travelling from Jacobs to the CBD will pay R16 instead of R14.
The Auswest Taxi Association said it is raising prices because the cost of fuel is high. The association said drivers pay a lot of money at the pump, The Citizen reported.
People who use taxis are unhappy with the service. Passenger Yvonne Stephens said the taxis should be clean and safe before prices go up. Stephens said drivers also need to be more respectful.
Nikita Govender asked why fares did not go down when the petrol price dropped.
Alistair Marais agreed. Marais said it makes no sense to raise prices now just because fuel is back to R24 a litre.
One resident defended the taxi owners. Mreva Mbongeni said Wentworth taxis have not raised their prices since July 2022. Mbongeni asked why everyone is complaining now.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said it is worried about the high price of diesel. Santaco said individual associations can decide their own fare adjustments.
Santaco said the taxi industry looks at more than just the cost of petrol. The council said owners also have to pay for fixing vehicles, insurance and licensing.
Pictured above: A minibus taxi on the road.
Image source: File
