Husain Mohamed – 08/06/2020
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has urged taxi associations to be mindful of the less fortunate when increasing taxi fares.
The Minister was responding to rumors that various Taxi Associations, in Johannesburg and surrounding areas, will drastically hike route prices by 172%. Reports suggest that commuters travelling to Sandton from Alexandra will have to fork out R30 for a single trip, up from the R11 they are currently paying.
More than 100 taxi organisations in Johannesburg say they will increase fares. Taxi operators are citing the effects of the lockdown as the reason for the fare increase in addition to the recent petrol price hike.
Current government regulations allow taxis to carry 70% of their capacity. Taxi drivers have previously stated that they feel forgotten by the government and they have requested government to provide a subsidy to support their business.
Mbalula has reminded the industry that the current regulations prevent illegal profiteering. He says the matter will be referred to the Competition Commission to assess if the fare increases are both fair and justifiable.
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