Taxi Violence: Inaction Fuels Route Wars

This speech was delivered by GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament Brett Herron during today’s interpellation debate on Taxi Violence:

The recent taxi violence, and this week’s decision to shut down taxi routes, is a direct failure of government, in particular the Western Cape and City of Cape Town, to address the systemic and outdated transport regulation regime.

A decade ago, the Ntsebeza Commission recommended that the Province and the City improve the regulation of taxi routes and permits, since poorly managed licensing and route disputes were the direct driver of the violence.

This has not happened.

Over the 8 years that I had the privilege of serving as MMC for Transport, a lot of work was done on implementing a new public transport regulatory regime in line with the vision of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA). A transport authority was established, a by-law enacted, and an agreement was signed with the Western Cape Provincial Government for the devolution of the Operating Licence Function to the City of Cape Town.

This is where regulation of public transport routes and operating licenses is best placed to be and where the NLTA intended it to be. All of this work was cancelled within months of my resignation because the DA regards the taxi industry as rogue. And the MMC who replaced me called them criminals.

Amazingly, while this government continuously demands the devolution of functions from National Government, it is resistant to devolving any of its provincial functions – despite legislation providing for it. This government is clinging onto the transport regulatory function, perpetuating red tape and bureaucratic barriers for taxi operators, and creating the opportunity for collusion.

Does red tape reduction only apply to white collar businesses?  Or perhaps white owned businesses?

When e-hailing arrived, we quickly implemented a new method of determining supply and demand.  There is no reason why that system should not be available to the mini-bus taxi industry.

But instead, the industry, which is highly regulated and policed (including with impoundments), is regarded as “informal” at best and “criminal” at worst.

It is time to overhaul the system, using the “innovation” this government loves to talk about. Because failing to do so, is failing to create a safe, functional and efficient public transport network that includes minibus services.

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