Transport and Public Works

1. (a)  The Department of Transport and Public Works is in the process of

developing policy proposals for discussion at and after the national taxi lekgotla, on, inter alia, the following:

1. 1. 1. Incentivising taxi operators and drivers for quality of service and behaviour on the road
      2. Redefining the role of minibus taxi associations, regional taxi councils and provincial taxi councils, as well as that of so-called ‘mother-bodies’ or federal structures.
      3. Clarifying and aligning national and provincial positions with regards to ‘indefinite’ operating licences.
      4. Charter operating licences 
      5. Scope and request for funding for training of taxi industry leaders, owners, drivers and other employees 

(b) While tackling criminality linked to the turmoil and violence in the minibus taxi industry falls within the mandate of enforcement- and justice departments, Department has taken a hands-on approach to establishing an inter-governmental and coordinated response.   The Department will make proposals on strengthening integrated transport planning so as to ensure a balance between supply and demand; improving systems for processing operating licence applications.  In addition, the department will consider proposals to introduce

technology to assist enforcement authorities in identifying illegal operators who invade routes of rival associations, which has been shown to be one of the root causes of violent conflict within the industry.

(c)   Discussions on the issue of subsidies for the taxi industry (whether for operators, commuters or drivers) is one that has to be driven at the national level between the national Department of Transport and Treasury.

2. (a) During the course of August, September and October, I and the Department embarked on an ‘Outreach’ programme to meet with local and regional taxi leaders, operators and drivers as well as municipal officials.  The Outreach programme dovetailed with the Provincial Taxi Makgotla, which was held on Thursday 15 October. 

(b)  Inputs relating to calls to professionalise the taxi industry included the following:

1. 1. 1. Training for taxi leaders, drivers and other employees
      2. Reviewing legislation around criteria for Professional Drivers’ Permits (PrDP’s)
      3. Catering for people with disabilities who rely on taxi services
      4. Introducing ticketing systems to protect owners’ as well as drivers’ interests
      5. Reviewing the state and management of taxi ranks and facilities
      6. Increasing dedicated lanes for taxis
      7. Law enforcement / security presence at ranks 
      8. Development of a Service Charter 
      9. Improving systems for driver and vehicle identification
      10. Establishing a commuter forum
2. My Department is working on implementing a pilot of the Blue Dot project.  This project builds on the successful partnership established with the minibus taxi industry to deliver the Red Dot service and aims to improve service quality and safety of minibus taxi services by awarding incentives to participants in exchange for compliance with a set of standards, including driving quality, route adherence, and customer service.  This approach provides the additional, and well-deserved, support which the minibus taxi industry has called for over decades, while improving services.  A further objective of the Blue Dot project is to reduce illegal operations and violence.