Taxi commuters will need to find alternative transport next week, as taxis will not be operating.
Taxi mother body, SANTACO, has confirmed that operators will embark on a stay-away on Monday and Tuesday.
That’s in protest against the termination of the Blue Dot Taxi incentive programme at the end of this month.
And the City of Cape Town says it won’t be renewed at all unless the national government provides funding.
SANTACO’s Gershwin Geyer explains their grievances in the audio clip below.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape Mobility Department is calling on the minibus taxi industry to cancel the proposed shutdown.
It says it shares the industry leaders’ concerns, but is even more concerned that some two million commuters will be affected – if the plan goes ahead.
The department’s Jandre Bakker added that the taxi industry also plays a critical role in the province’s economy.
“The call for the shutdown… follows on the Western Cape Government’s decision to wind down the highly successful Blue Dot taxi pilot programme due to budget constraints. A proposal has been taken to national government to roll Blue Dot out across the country. Any shutdown of minibus taxi services will have a devastating effect on many aspects of the Western Cape – the economy for one – and cannot be condoned. Matriculants writing final exams is one of the groups that will be negatively impacted.”
