Call for Fair Competition in George’s Public and Private Transport Services

GOOD Statement by Rosa Louw, GOOD George Municipality Councillor:

George’s taxi industry and private transport sectors serve a population that has grown significantly over the years. New residential areas such as Rhygerpark and the Metrogrond housing project have expanded the town, along with outlying rural communities including Uniondale and Haarlem.

Most residents rely on public transport, including the Go George bus service, particularly after taxi services were removed from the areas mentioned. Public transport and taxis remain the primary mode of travel for most George’s people.

However, George Municipality does not permit competition between public transport services. In practice, this means that the Go George bus service is shielded from competition with other providers such as Bolt and Uber. This approach is inconsistent with competition legislation, which does not permit municipalities to block or restrict lawful competing services.

As the GOOD Party, we believe that there must be fair competition between private transport providers and public transport services. In a democratic system, people must be free to choose the transport option that best meets their needs. George Municipality and its Council cannot, and should not, impose restrictions that limit the public’s freedom of choice.

There are also practical considerations. For example, long-distance bus services such as Intercape or Intercity often drop passengers off late at night or early in the morning, requiring them to use Uber or Bolt for onward travel.

Similarly, Go George drop-off points are not always located where passengers need to go, often forcing them to walk long distances.

For these reasons, the GOOD Party believes that alternative taxi services should not be prohibited from operating. The choice must remain with the public.

GOOD Job Creation: The party focuses on creating employment opportunities for all citizens.

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