POLOKWANE – A dispute over passenger fares between three taxi associations and Polokwane Municipality has delayed the launch of a new Leeto La Polokwane bus route linking the central business district (CBD) to Mall of the North.

The Seshego, Westenburg and Flora Park Taxi Associations, operating under the vehicle-owning company Esilux, have reportedly rejected a proposed single-trip fare of R9.50, arguing that it would not adequately cover operating costs such as fuel and vehicle maintenance.

Outstanding R7 million payment

Seshego-Polokwane Taxi Association spokesperson Simon Molomo told BONUS that the proposed fare was a major concern for the associations, which had previously sold their taxis and route permits to the municipality as part of the transition to the bus service.

The agreement, concluded before 2021, provided for a total payout of R21 million in three instalments.

Molomo said the associations had received R14 million in two payments and were still awaiting the outstanding R7 million.

“Our outstanding documents have been finalised at Esilux. We expect the payment on Friday. As per our contract, we were paid R14 million previously in two batches, and this one has been outstanding for a while without an explanation we can fathom,” he said.

Competition with taxis

The proposed R9.50 fare has also raised concerns about competition with taxis still operating on the route, whose passengers pay R15 per trip.

Participants in the discussions reportedly stressed the need to strike a balance between affordable public transport and the financial sustainability of the bus service.

Buses blocked at depot

The dispute escalated on Thursday morning when taxis belonging to the associations allegedly blocked buses at the service’s depot in the industrial area, preventing them from operating.

Leeto La Polokwane subsequently issued a statement confirming a temporary suspension of services, attributing it to an operational disruption.

The associations are gradually being absorbed into Esilux and the municipal bus operation, with more drivers expected to join the service in driving and other roles.

However, Molomo said the process was progressing more slowly than anticipated.

He also raised concerns about a group of drivers who were not absorbed during the initial transition from taxis to buses.

According to Molomo, the municipality had undertaken to assist these drivers in obtaining Code 14 driving licences.

“We questioned this, and they said they would report back to council and meet us halfway. We are expecting a positive outcome on the same day,” he said.

Comment pending

Leeto La Polokwane spokesperson Malesela Maubane referred BONUS to Nomfundo Mashele, the service’s manager of Intelligent Transport Systems Modelling.

By the time of going to print, Mashele had not responded to questions about the fare dispute, the meeting or Thursday’s demonstration.