Government to pay taxi marshals, rank managers despite money problems
Gauteng transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo and Tshwane administrator Mpho Nawa launched the public transport support teams that would help monitor Covid-19 regulations at taxi ranks.
The Gauteng government plans to pay so-called marshals and managers to enforce the observance of Covid-19 measures in taxis in the province, “despite the fiscus being in crisis”.
Gauteng transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo and Tshwane administrator Mpho Nawa launched the public transport support teams that would help monitor Covid-19 regulations at taxi ranks.
Mamabolo said they were unveiling the programme to respond to the new regulations announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa and transport minister Fikile Mbalula.
He said since lockdown level 5, the government has been hard at work with the taxi industry and buses in combating the spread of Covid-19.
“Our plan to sensitise public transport has actually seen 34 million commuters pass through this programme.”
Mamabolo said the taxi rank support committee would consist of the taxi rank manager supported by the marshals.
He said while the government did not have money as the fiscus was in crisis, a way has to be found to pay taxi rank marshals R3 500 and the taxi rank managers R5 000 per month.
“[We] need to compensate the work they are doing so that it can be done in a controlled way, but also to make sure that we do not take chances and gamble with people’s lives.
“They remain part of the staff and personnel of the taxi industry and they are given to us for the period that we will be fighting Covid-19.”
Mamabolo said government had partnered with the CSIR to launch an app for the taxi industry.
“This app will be in the hands of the taxi rank managers and marshals and they will use the app to report on a daily basis.”
Mamabolo said he also wanted to commend the leadership of the taxi industry as their work was dangerous, difficult and very complex.
“I want to thank them that the commuters who pass here daily are in your hands and our hands. You have been looking after them. Continue looking after them, continue to protect them and protect your own lives.”
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