By Levy Masiteng
Commuters in several provinces will pay more for minibus taxi trips after taxi associations this week announced fare increases on local and long-distance routes.
In the Western Cape, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) confirmed during a media briefing in Bellville on Thursday that fares on several routes would increase from Monday.
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Speaking at the briefing, Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) chairperson Nceba Enge apologised to commuters for the short notice.
“We want to apologise to the commuters for maybe not giving them enough notice. But prior to this increase, we issued a statement where we notified our commuters that prices will increase because operators cannot pay for their vehicles. Their vehicles are being repossessed by financial institutions. So that forced us with no choice but to increase,” he said.
Enge said CODETA and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) had met in Nyanga to discuss the effect of rising fuel costs before consulting regions across the Western Cape.
Commuters on some local routes can expect increases of between R2 and R3, while long-distance routes will also be affected.
The single-trip fare to the Eastern Cape will increase from R1,000 to R1,150, while the special Thursday trip will rise from R1,250 to R1,400. The special Wednesday trip will increase from R1,200 to R1,350.
Passengers travelling to Saldanha will also pay more, with the single-trip fare increasing from R1,000 to R1,200 and the special trip fare rising from R1,300 to R1,450.
The long-distance fare increases are expected to take effect from Thursday, 21 May.
Gauteng
In Gauteng, the Hebron Taxi Association said its fare increases would take effect from next month. The association said local-distance fares would increase by R3, while short-distance commuters would pay R5 more.
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The Hammanskraal Taxi Organisation also confirmed fare increases from next month, with local routes increasing by R3 and short-distance fares by R5.
Similarly, the Northern Tshwane Taxi Industry announced fare hikes effective from next month, with commuters expected to pay an additional R3 on local trips and R5 on short-distance routes.
Limpopo
In Limpopo, the Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association (SPTA) confirmed that fare increases would come into effect from Monday.
Affected routes include Seshego to Polokwane town, Extension 70s, Emdo, Ladanna, Mall of the North and surrounding areas. The fare is expected to increase by R5.
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“After careful consideration, the industry has been left with no choice but to adjust fares in order to keep services running and protect the long-term sustainability of public transport for commuters,” SANTACO said.
