Taxi body pleads for an even larger fuel drop

The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) has called on the government to drop the price of petrol by a further R6 per litre – and many Pretoria residents, hit hard by high transport costs, are agreeing with them.

“The latest decrease is a small step in the right direction,” said NTA spokesperson Theo Malele.

“But we urge the government to consider further fuel price reductions of between R5-R6 per litre.”

This he said would alleviate the hardships and quagmire the taxi industry is currently experiencing.

The alliance is a group of affiliated independent taxi associations from various provinces.

He said the latest petrol price drop did not, however, mean that “our operations will suddenly become profitable and therefore justify a fare reduction”.

Malele said fuel prices currently sat R9 above the taxi industry profit margin.

“The high cost of fuel is the main contributor to the unprecedented high repossession of taxis by financial institutions.”

The most recent fuel price drop went into effect on September 7.

Fuel prices for September 2022 are:

– Petrol (both 93 & 95 ULP and LRP) (204.00 c/l) decrease

– Diesel (56.34 c/l) decrease

– Diesel (46.34 c/l) decrease

– Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale) (82.00 c/l) decrease

– SMNRP for IP: (109.00 c/l) decrease

– Maximum LPGas: (165.00 c/kg) decrease

In June, the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) announced that it had no choice but to increase taxi fares due to the rising petrol prices.

“Petrol price increases have hit us very hard and we are left with no alternative but also to increase our fares,” said Tshwane Santaco spokesperson McDonald Makata.

“ 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.

Residents in various parts of the north of Pretoria had said they were feeling the pinch of the fuel hikes in June including taxi fare increases.

Soshanguve resident Bonolo Magale said the commute from Soshanguve to Centurion cost her R106 every weekday.

Magale said she did not think it was worth working anymore as her transport fees take up most of her salary.

“The taxi fares are unsustainable and a huge chunk of my salary just goes to taxi fares. I cannot buy myself or my child clothes. Food prices are skyrocketing. I am still lucky that I do not have to pay rent.”

Mabopane resident Lucky Mavuso, who works as an intern, shared the same sentiment, saying his salary was only enough to cover his commute to work.

“I spend R120 to go to work every Monday to Friday. I do not earn that much.

“It is very frustrating because I’m working for nothing. I understand why the taxis had to increase fares because they still need to pay vehicle instalments and also make a living, but the fares are killing us.”

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