Taxi route adjustments between 15-seater and seven-seater taxi operators — that took effect on Monday — has hit commuters from Mdantsane to East London in their pockets, and left them in terror of ending up in the middle of a crossfire.
The route changes, adopted at a multi taxi association meeting held at the Highway taxi rank in Mdantsane last week, resolved that seven-seater taxis, mostly Avanzas and Suzukis, could no longer ferry commuters to East London.
This means, as the holiday season kicks off, Mdantsane commuters must now use the 15-seater taxis to the city’s CBD in a direct trip from the Highway rank.
Commuters from Mdantsane’s zones 10 to 18 will pay R45 in fares to the CBD, R20 more than a week ago, because they will first need a taxi to take them to Highway.
Mdantsane’s interior routes have been assigned to the seven-seater taxis and private vehicles, commonly referred to as amaphela.
Santaco B chair Gabs Mtshala said the “confusion” was the result of unlicensed seven-seater operators who were not part of any taxi association.
He said the adjustments were not new.
“In the taxi industry, operators are allocated a route based on the vehicle’s capacity.
“There was a situation where Avanzas [seven-seaters] moved out of their demarcated areas and ended up operating in the areas meant for Quantums.
“This led a lot of Quantum operators to lose work, which meant some had their vehicles repossessed. Most of these Avanzas are not part of any association.”
An operator who spoke anonymously said the move was to “capture” commuters for the festive season.
“We are all struggling with money; everyone who joins this industry we tell them there is no money.
“So this move to capture people at this time is very wrong. I was not part of that meeting but I heard there will be another one.”
Meanwhile, a Quantum taxi owner, who also owns a fleet of amaphela from Mdantsane, said no taxi war was brewing.
“People who were in that meeting know there’s no war, there’s no infighting.
“This was discussed and everyone agreed. These people causing disruption are being mischievous.
“Amaphela know their routes and everything was outlined there.
“People should not say there is a taxi war — there is no war here, it is people who are being disruptive.”
The changes have caused an uproar on social media from commuters.
A Zone 13 resident, who asked to be named only as Lindokuhle, said she was worried that her transport budget would rise.
“What hasn’t been cleared is we have a group from work and we use a Suzuki. We pay R25 a day [for a single trip] and R1,000 a month, so what happens to that?
“I was told I’ll have to pay R20 from here [Zone 13] to Highway and then another R25 to town. This is just ridiculous.
“With all these things we hear on social media I fear going on a taxi with this infighting happening.”
Another said: “We are in trouble as passengers.”
Mtshala said the associations would deliberate on alternatives for commuters from zones that are further inland in Mdantsane.
DispatchLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.