Transport and Public Works
Given the Competition Commission’s stance that “The minibus taxi industry needs to be subsidised through increased funding for the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme”:
Whether his Department plans to increase the funding for the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
The Taxi Recapitalisation Programme is a nationally funded and controlled programme. My Department plays no part in the administration or distribution of these funds and, therefore, is not in a position to increase funding.
However, my Department is now moving forward with a pilot of the Blue Dot incentive programme which will work with the taxi industry to improve the quality of services and concurrently support and transform the industry through an incentive reward mechanism. Vehicle recapitalisation is envisaged to fall under subsequent phases of the programme, if the pilot is successful.
