The South African national taxi council (Santaco) states it has no choice but to increase taxi fares due to the rising petrol prices.

On Wednesday, 93 octane unleaded petrol increased by R2.43 per litre and 95 octane by R2.33.

The price of 0.05% sulphur diesel increased by R1.10 per litre while 0.005% sulphur diesel increased by R1.07 per litre.

Tshwane Santaco spokesperson McDonald Makata said some taxi associations had already increased their fares from June 1.

“However, we are not going to be irrational about increasing fares. We will still have to sit around the table with commuter forums to determine what the affordable price is for the communities we serve,” Makata said.

“We cannot go to the community and ask for unrealistic high fees because people are losing their jobs.”

He said the fuel increases since the beginning of Covid-19 have affected the taxi industry.

“Petrol [price] increments have hit us very hard and we are left with no alternative but also to increase our fares. We have to balance the equation because we will end up with no vehicles at the end of the day. As the industry, we are facing difficulties,” he said.

“The majority of taxi owners are still making instalments payments on their Quantums, and now we have to pay more for fuel.”

Makata said they will meet with the government and dealerships to ask for concessions on payments.

“We are just praying that the government will soon realise that there is a need for a subsidy, because we are really doing the government’s work by transporting commuters.

“As much as we are doing it for money, we are also assisting on the other hand because what we are charging is nothing compared to what other modes of transport are charging.”

Last month a Soshanguve taxi driver, who identified himself only as Neo, said his commuters were already struggling to pay the current fares and he feared losing them if there was a further increase.

Neo, however, added it was still necessary to increase fares because of the increase in petrol prices.

“Petrol is really expensive, but as drivers we are still expected to meet our daily targets. Taxi owners have to pay instalments, so it is difficult for everyone.”