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Gauteng Provincial Government has appointed a five-member cabinet committee to clean up all issues affecting the taxi industry.

The committee is made up of MECs for Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, Economic Development Lebogang Maile, Human Settlements, Local Government and Traditional Affairs Paul Mashatile and Social Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza.

Premier David Makhura announced this during the Provincial Taxi Indaba-Ntirhisano on Thursday at Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg.  The aim of indaba was to resolve issues currently plaguing the industry, such as delays in the issuing of operating licenses; safety of the public transport; taxi violence and others.

He said going forward the challenges of the taxi industry will be dealt with by this team of MECs.

Makhura further said that the provincial government has taken a decision to work with municipalities on handing over the maintenance of taxi ranks to the taxi industry in an effort to empower them to make extra income.

He said the taxi industry must organise themselves for this initiative to work. The taxi industry cannot continue to work in a survivalist mode, they should be at the heart of the provincial public transport system.

“We want the taxi industry to be involved in the expansion of the Gautrain.  We also want them to be part of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system,” said Premier Makhura.

In July government will have a 10-day programme to clear out all outstanding permit applications where applicants are compliant.

Makhura reassured the taxi operators that today’s meeting was not talk shop or a waste of time. “Through our Ntirhisano Outreach Programme, we resolve challenges in all sectors.  We can’t move the taxi industry forward without their involvement.  That is why we are here to talk about the issues facing the taxi industry,” said Makhura.

In addition, Makhura said the appointed committee will meet the metered taxi industry separately to look at all their problems. He noted that the metered taxis played an important role in the transport industry.  
Once every year, government will meet with all taxi operators.

“Next year in June, we will meet to report on the progress.  This industry must be formalised and follow the law.  Empowerment of women in the industry is also our responsibility,” said Makhura.

He said some of the issues raised would be resolved immediately such as the issuing of the operating licences for 22-seater vehicles. 

Makhura said the Operating Licensing and Administration System receipt, which is given to operators who have applied for permits, will be taken as temporary permit. He added that government wants to work with the taxi industry and urged the leadership of associations to encourage their members to comply with the law.

Also addressing the Indaba was the General Secretary of the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance(GNTA), Alpheus Mlalazi said they also want un - roadworthy taxis to be removed from the roads and that the taxi industry deserves the same privileges as other modes of transport such as dedicated lanes.

“We have decided to suspend the mass action simply because government has agreed to speak to us,” said Mlalazi.

Johannes Mkonza, chairperson of the South African National Taxi council, said the taxi industry employs more than 600 000 people and transport 15 million commuters per day.

Other challenges raised by the taxi operators included the development of new taxi ranks in new shopping malls, empowerment of women in the taxi industry, the need for regional offices to process taxi permits and different regulations in cross border and long distances routes amongst others.

“Working together we can transform, modernise, and grow the taxi industry”, said Premier Makhura.

Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government