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Date
: 28/10/2006
Source: Department of Transport
Title: Radebe: Scrapping of old taxi vehicles
Address at the scrapping of old taxi vehicles by Mr Jeff Radebe, MP
Minister of Transport, Free State
Today, as we officially announce the start of the much-awaited
scrapping of old and unroadworthy taxi vehicles, we also welcome
the introduction of new taxi vehicles as approved by the South
African Bureau of Standards (SABS). And we all say in unison that
time has finally arrived for the removal of old and unroadworthy
taxi vehicles on our roads once and for all. Many years of serious
work and dedication to the Taxi Recap Programme (TRP) are now
paying off and have culminated to fruition.
My predecessors former Ministers Mac Maharaj and the late Dullah
Omar’s legacy was not in vain. It would be incorrect of us to
claim victories of today without acknowledging the contributions
made by our predecessors. We continue to build on foundations they
left behind for our generation. We continue to maintain that South
Africans deserve a better, more reliable and safer public transport
and today's event does exactly that.
The event today is in line with our key pillars of the TRP rollout
strategy; the scrapping of old taxi vehicles, the introduction of
new and safe vehicles, effective regulation of the industry,
empowerment of the taxi industry and law enforcement. This strategy
recognises that the TRP is not only about the replacement of old
vehicles with new and safe vehicles, but presents government with
the opportunity to transform, empower and regulate the
industry.
The victories we have achieved so far include the publication of
Safety Requirements in September 2006, the establishment of a
scrapping administration agency, and thousands of taxi operators
have applied for the conversion of permits to licences, the
National Land Transport Transition Act (NLTTA) Amendment Bill has
gone to Parliament to enable government to implement the TRP. And
for the first time in the history of the taxi industry we are about
to press the button for the scrapping of ageing taxi vehicles to
begin in earnest. We are also about to witness the introduction of
new taxi vehicles as approved by the SABS.
Madam Premier, your province is today writing a chapter in our
history by ensuring that it setting in motion the process of
scrapping the old taxi vehicles. I'm therefore delighted to
announce that for the first time in the history of the Taxi Recap,
we will witness the real-time scrapping of old taxi vehicles. But
let me also reassure MECs from other province that our Scrapping
Administration Agency, Siyazi Consortium, is also far in advance in
setting-up scrapping facilities in various provinces. Details of
where to find these facilities will be available in due coarse. Our
target is to ensure that we recapitalise 85% old taxi vehicles by
2010. We hope that thousands of taxi operators throughout the
country are inspired by today 92s events.
Questions have been asked whether we would be able to deliver new
Taxi Vehicles by today. Doomsayers have predicted the worst.
Programme Director, I'm therefore delighted to announce that the
following vehicles under the minibus category have been certified
by the SABS:
Toyota Quantum (14 seater)
Nissan Interstar (15 seater)
Fiat Ducato (15 seater)
Mercedes Benz 308 CDI (16 seater)
Peugeot Boxer HDI (16 seater)
Under the Midibus category:
Mercedes Benz (22 seater)
Marcopolo Volare short-wheel Base A8 (22 seater)
Iveco 50c 14v15 (22 seater)
Marcopolo Volare Long Wheel Base A8 (26 seater)
Isuzu NQR 500 (35 seater)
Most manufacturers have worked tirelessly hard to comply with our
safety requirements. We thank you for that.
Our assessment of the progress we have made contrasts sharply with
the pessimism as expressed in some quarters within the taxi
industry. We remain convinced that through partnership and ongoing
consultations with relevant players, further milestones will be
achieved.
We are satisfied with the level of consultations and the inputs
made by all our stakeholders during this process. We are committed
to finding solutions and willing to address genuine concerns on the
part of the taxi organisations that show commitment of improving
safety for our people.
Though we encourage the democratic right of individuals to
demonstrate and express their concerns, I however want to point out
that fear and intimidation no longer have a place in the taxi
industry. And operators should also commit to working with us to
discourage such behaviour. Taxi operators have the right to
criticise government without fear and express views that are even
contrary to our position. And we will not impose our own vision and
agenda on the taxi industry.
We are also not threatened by the presence of a strong and vibrant
taxi industry that vigorously defends and advances the interests of
taxi operators. However, let me hasten to mention that hooliganism
and lack of respect for others will be dealt with severely. We can
no longer continue to get enjoyment from disrupting the lives of
our people in the manner in which some of you are doing. This is an
appeal to all taxi bodies to reflect on this matter or to face the
consequences.
In those few words, I want to take this opportunity to commend
thousands of taxi operators who have responded positively to our
call to apply for the conversion of permits to operating licenses.
I must specifically thank the national leadership for their role in
mobilising taxi operators to convert. I also want to reassure you
that the taxi industry will never be the same again. Today is the
beginning of a new chapter that will take the taxi industry to
greater heights.
Ngiyabonga!
Issued by: Department of Transport
28 October 2006
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