Transport Amendment Act formally recognises e-hailing services

By Johnathan Paoli

The Department of Transport has officially gazetted the long-awaited National Land Transport Amendment Act and its accompanying regulations, formally recognising e-hailing services as an official mode of public transport, placing them alongside traditional minibus taxis, buses, and metered cabs.

Department spokesperson Collen Msibi confirmed that the Act introduces e-hailing as a new service type, expanding the choices available to commuters.

“The Act affirms and officially recognises the e-hailing service that has, until now, been treated as an illegal operation by some service type operators on the streets,” Msibi said.

For years, e-hailing platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and others have operated in a regulatory grey zone, often facing hostility from traditional operators who viewed them as illegal competitors.

The gazetting of the Act is expected to bring stability, accountability, and safety to a sector that has grown rapidly despite lacking formal legal recognition.

All public transport operators,