Fired conductors an extra burden for taxi drivers

WHILE the decision to remove taxi conductors by the South Beach and North Beach Taxi Association has been welcomed by many, taxi drivers say this will only put more pressure on their work.

According to the association, the reasons to fire the conductors included among other things bad hygiene and bad behaviour the conductors had towards commuters.

A taxi driver who spoke to the Berea Mail on condition of anonymity said: “It is frustrating to work without a conductor because they collect money and also help get passengers. As the driver I cannot do those things because I have to focus on the road. We do a lot of pick ups and drop offs, it is difficult to see who paid and did not. There are rotten apples amongst us who have been noted within the association, this issue of dismissing every conductor is going to cause a lot of problems. As drivers we would like to be given an opportunity to address our issues with regards to the dismissal of conductors.”

The conductor helps the driver manage the passengers and works to find new commuters at the rank and along the route. They are employed by individual drivers which often results in rivalries as conductors fight each other at ranks over passengers. On average a conductor earns between R200 to R300 a day. It is alleged that drivers prefer employing whoonga addicts because they are paid less for a fix and can work an entire day without asking for more money.

ALSO READ: GO!Durban taxi parade moves Durban forward

While commuters often complain about them‚ passenger Nokwanda Sithole said: “In all honesty, the drivers are struggling without them and so are we. My driver had to get out of the taxi to open the door and it’s a real inconvenience generally. Conductors should be registered and have some sort of code of conduct and drivers shouldn’t get amaPhara (whoonga addicts) to do the conductor’s work. Young people are already struggling to find jobs and this is just making the situation worse. Please bring them back.”

Another taxi user, Nhlakanipho Sigupe said he was happy about the move because it showed that the association had finally answered their pleas but not everyone deserved to be fired.

“I have seen the good it has done for some who are breadwinners and who are now drivers. The association must deal with problematic ones and punish them, but again I have thank the association, it shows that we are in good hands, our safety and well-being is their priority,” he said.

A statement released by the association read: “To all our commuters, be advised that all the conductors have been dismissed as from 1 November 2018. We have hired some of the conductors to be rank marshalls. We have added two cars which will be patrolling Dr Pixley ka Seme (West) Street and Anton Lembede (Smith) Street. Conductors are being dismissed for hygiene factors and their rudeness towards commuters, some of them are involved in criminal activities, they are the reason for most taxis to overload and bad behaviour towards commuters e.g. fighting with commuters.”

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts