With Steadville protesters boycotting Klipriver Taxi Association taxis for the last two weeks, the stakes for the association have been raised, with the Jononoskop area near Elandslaagte joining in. Sections of the gravel road leading to Jononoskop have been blocked with stones. They are also demanding that outside taxis be prevented from operating in their area.
The biggest issue appears to be the down-scaling of the Ingula Hydro-Electric Power Station. With fewer taxis soon to be needed to transport workers to the site, taxi operators are looking at how they will continue to generate income from their ‘extra’ taxis. This has seen them encroach on areas previously serviced by their own local-based taxi services.
The recent price increase has added fuel to the fire, but the crux of the problem is too many taxis for too few customers. Add in a price increase and you have the perfect pretext to launch an all-out war on so-called ‘out-of-town’ taxis.
The big question is: How long can the Klipriver Taxi Association pretend they do not have a major problem on their hands? A short-term dropping of the price may avert part of the problem, but the long-term issue will remain. As taxis encroach on each other’s routes, the seeds for taxi violence are being sowed…
Related stories:
More taxi-related protests expected this morning
Shots fired to move protesters
Cars come to a standstill in Newcastle Road
Taxi fare increase, rumours of strike
