Date: 07/10/2003
Source: Ministry of Transport
Title: Omar: Statement on extending 2004/2006 taxi recapitalisation dates


STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, ABDULLAH OMAR, ON EXTENDING THE 2004/2006 TAXI RECAPITALISATION DATES

In order to enhance safety in public transport and to assist current minibus taxi operators to recapitalise their existing vehicles, government together with the taxi industry, agreed to introduce the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme through which new purpose-built vehicles will be provided.

According to Section 31 of the National Land Transport Transition Act, 2000 (NLTTA), the National Minister of Transport can determine a date from which existing minibus taxis would not be allowed to be used as public transport vehicles.

For this reason, regulations to set the date for the phasing out of the current minibus-taxi vehicles as required by the NLTTA, have to be issued.

The Minister met with his provincial colleagues yesterday to consider amongst other things South African National Taxi Council's (SANTACO's) request that Government considers to extend the deadlines of 2004/2006 as prescribe in the NLTTA.

Subsequently the Minister and his provincial Ministers of Transport met with SANTACO today, wherein an agreement was reached to shift the deadline date beyond October 2006. The finalisation of the future dates are currently being attended to by Government in consultation with SANTACO considering the legislative procedures that such processes have to follow.

After due process has been followed, the Minister of Transport will publish the regulations stating the new dates.

Notwithstanding the decision to extend the deadline for the introduction of the new taxi vehicles, Government remains committed to the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, which will ultimately benefit operators and commuters.

For more information contact:
Ndivhuwo Mabaya
Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Transport
Cell: 082 908 0054

Issued by: Ministry of Transport
7 October 2003