The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) announced that taxi fares would go up from 1 July.

Taxi associations will, according to Santaco, determine their own increases, however, an increase of R4 to R5, has been proposed for local trips.

Metro to metro trips will increase by a maximum of R7 while cross-provincial border trips are said to see a R50 increase.

Commuters were furious about initial talks of a hike of almost 200% which was said to assist associations and taxi drivers due to losses incurred because of Covid-19.

During the lockdown stringent measures regarding the allowable legal capacity were enforced by government to assure the safety of commuters.

Mr Gift Khumalo, a taxi driver in Ermelo said he used to make about R700 to R800 a day, but with the strict regulations, he only make between R400 and R500 a day.

“Regualtions have not been eased and I am only allowed to have 10 people in the taxi at any time.”

He assured commuters that tariffs in Ermelo have remained unchanged.

The taxi fare remains R12 for trips in town.