Taxi plan deadline extended
David Masango
26 November 2003
The government and the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) have reached an agreement to extend the deadline for the implementation of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, following a meeting between Transport Minister Dullah Omar and Santaco in Pretoria this week.
The recapitalisation programme aims to replace about 97 000 ageing minibus taxis with safe, efficient 18- and 35-seater vehicles, and to regulate and empower the taxi industry.
Omar said minibus taxi operators have another four years before they have to start complying with the basic safety regulations.
"Between now and 2008, no vehicle will be refused a licence because it does not comply with the basic specifications," Omar said. "And no vehicle will be removed from the road before 2010 because it does not comply with basic specifications."
The safety requirements stipulate, among others, that all the vehicles should be fitted with a roll-over bar, a proper
chassis and safety belts for all passengers.
Omar said the government would fix a cut-off date which gave the industry adequate time to acquire financing for the purchase of new vehicles, to prepare for the implementation of the programme and to ensure continued support from financial institutions.
Omar added that the bidders for supplying the new vehicles would be required to offer a 25.1% share to Santaco to ensure that the taxi organisation and its members benefitted from the project.
Last month the government and Santaco had to postpone the signing of an agreement after the Pretoria High Court granted the KwaZulu-Natal Taxi Council an interdict preventing Santaco from signing the agreement.
The provincial body had argued that it was not properly consulted and lacked the necessary information on the process.
Omar said the meeting had agreed that a consultation process must take place within Santaco. "We will assist Santaco to ensure that there is
proper communication. This will be done through road shows that Santaco will embark upon to explain the taxi recapitalisation programme."
Santaco president Tom Muofhe it was important "that we foster the recapitalisation process in a manner that best suits all members of our very large and widespread constituency".
He added that the extension would allow all role players, from operators to service providers, time to gain a better understanding of the process and to buy into it, thus ensuring a safe and efficient transport system.
On the new fleet of vehicles, Muofhe said decisions related to vehicle size should be based on three priorities, including commuter safety and comfort, affordability from the taxi owner's point of view, as well as economic empowerment of the taxi industry and previously disadvantaged communities.
Muofhe said the recapitalisation project was still on track. "Santaco pledges to work closely with its members and government to ensure that
the programme is rolled out as planned," he said.
Source: BuaNews
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