By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
4 November 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Donald Selamolela, has called on taxi associations to be vigilant against the conduct of some of their patrollers, who often flood social media platforms. Selamolela said the committee will soon arrange a meeting with the industry on its programme to, among other things, understand this matter.
“There has been too much negativity about operations of the taxi industry nationwide, and with the invention of social media, one can never tell if the videos and voice notes are regurgitated. However, associations should prevail on their members and have a decent and enforceable code of conduct.
“We must all work to improve the taxi industry, where it becomes transport of choice rather than convenience. Some of the transgressions the drivers commit is wholly unnecessary and can frustrate any improvisation in the industry,” he said.
Selamolela further said, this week, a video of an alleged vehicle blocking a private vehicle that allegedly picked up a hitchhiker surfaced. He added that the South African National Taxi Association Council (SANTACO) representative came out to support the patrollers’ conduct and sought to suggest that minibus taxi operators had an exclusive right to pick up people.
“The Department of Transport informed the committee on Tuesday that, it is looking to pilot an electronic payment system in association with the industry. But not only that, the department is looking to review and improve the amount paid to the taxi recapitalisation programme.
“This kind of behaviour, especially if the video on social media is not a dated video, frustrates the work of government and compromises the industry in the eyes of the public. The committee is excited that our government is looking to aid the industry, and therefore, the committee expects the industry to introspect and avoid the proverbial scoring of own goals.
“Public transport practitioners should focus on professionalism, safety and responsible driving. The committee welcomed the successful observation of National Transport Month, which ended on Friday, and called for vigilance amongst all drivers as we head for the festive season,” said Selamolela.
The Guardian 