Meter and mini bus taxis suspend operation

DURBAN commuters will have to make alternate arrangements this afternoon after minibus taxi and meter taxi operators embarked on a “park off” with the intention of bringing public transport in Durban to a standstill.

A gathering of minibus and meter taxi operators at King Dinuzulu (Botha) Park, saw many discuss their issues while SAPS and Public Order Police kept a close eye.

Stembiso Duma, PRO for the eThekwini Management Taxi Council said they were leading the suspension of operations because of a permit issue. “We had created a committee some months ago to deal with the issues we were having with the licensing of route permits. The problem is with the Department of Transport in Pietermaritzburg. We came to an agreement that Metro Police will suspend the operations specific to operating licences but know even though we had a written agreement of this and minutes from meetings, they don’t inform us they are suspending our agreement and last Thursday, drivers started getting arrested and operators have to come and release their drivers,” he explained.

While Duma was aware, Metro Police had a job to do, he said the sudden change in the agreement was unfair. “We are not saying there must be no enforcement, but they must give us the service from the Department of Transport to process our license permits, then they can enforce it if we are not complying,” he said.

Duma said until the permit issue was resolved, operations will be suspended. “The private bus operators and meter taxi operators have have joined forces with the minibus taxis. This is the last load to town, the ranks will be empty shortly. We will suspend operations for as long as needed for Metro Police and the municipality to come to the party,” he added. Duma confirmed the suspension had nothing to do with the shooting at Brook Street last week.

Sizwe Mvubu, chairman of Durban Meter Taxi Association and KZN Meter Taxi Alliance, told Berea Mail Metro Police were impounding meter taxis over the permit issue. “Some of these vehicles have permits and others are in the process of obtaining the permits and we don’t know why they are doing this to us. It started last week, they are arresting owners and impounding vehicles, and say they will continue for the next 18 months.”

Meter taxi owner, Deon Subramoney said owners had to meet with Metro Police after a driver is arrested and pay R2000 for bail and R1000 to release vehicles, yet some pay this and they vehicles are still not released. “Another issue is that we do not have route permits, we do not operate like the minibus taxis and have a 50km radius to work within depending on the customers request. It seems the Metro officers are not aware of this,” he added.

The operators plan to meet at King Dinuzulu park tomorrow morning to discuss a way forward.