Cape Town city bosses have rejected claims by taxi mother body, Santanco that they’re marginalising the taxi industry by impounding their vehicles.
This is among the chief reasons for Santaco preparing for another stay-away on Wednesday.
The council is also not happy that more operating licenses would be given to e-hailing services.
” The City of Cape Town recently lifted a moratorium on metered taxi operating licences, which will result in more than 2000 new operating licences for the e-hailing providers. On the other hand there is going to be a 5 year moratorium on Minibus Taxi operating licences, without first legalizing all current illegal operators”, said Santaco provincial chairperson, Mandla Hermanus.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas says Santaco has no right to prevent others from entering the sector.
“I want to make it very clear to Santaco, no single stakeholder has a monopoly over public transport. We will not be intimidated or discouraged from acting against those who are driving around without driver’s licences and transporting commuters in vehicles that are unlicensed and not roadworthy.
He added that that their officers will continue to enforce the law.
“The best solution is for Santaco to get its house in order, and to ensure its members comply with the traffic rules and the National Land Transport Act . It is in the interest of the safety of commuters and drivers that the City keeps on enforcing the Traffic By-law without fear or favour”.
