Commuters react to increased taxi fares
Taxi users share how the increase has affected them
Following the recent petrol price increase, commuters using taxis as their mode of transport in Benoni have expressed their grievances.
Riley Buthelezi said the increase in petrol and taxi fare prices has made the standard of living more expensive.
“This increase will have an impact because half of our salary will go towards taxi fees, making it difficult for us to go to town,” said Buthelezi.
Moeketsi Malebana from Daveyton said he thinks the increase wasn’t too much.
“I think it’s just a matter of revisiting your budget and cutting in unnecessary expenses like junk food and alcohol because those items make us lose a lot of money,” said Malebana.
A local taxi driver, Vusimuzi Ndala indicated that the taxi fare increase doesn’t necessarily mean his salary will also increase.
“People should accept our economic constraints because there is nothing we can do to change the situation,¨ said Ndala.
Benoni Taxi Association spokesperson and general secretary, Godfrey Mathebula said they don’t make decisions about taxi fare increases, but consult with various stakeholders.
“We attended a regional conference on July 6 to discuss a better solution for us and our commuters,” said Mathebula.
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