Taxi fare increases “not fair”

The decision by the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) to implement the Taxi Fare Index has many local taxi commuters worried about the potential price hikes.

City Press reported that Santaco claims there was no previous, formal way of calculating fares, implying that in the past hikes have been based on the general feeling among operators as to by how much prices should increase. This means that when commuters experience rising costs, associations struggle to explain what caused the increase.

In order to overcome this problem, Santaco has developed the Taxi Fare Index, based on a computer program. Details such as the route and distance, as well as the number of passengers will be used to calculate the fare passengers should be paying. It also will include costs that currently are not included, such as the labour department’s legal requirements as well as associations employing managers. According to City Press, the model is still undergoing some changes.

According to Santaco’s calculations, some prices may increase by approximately 50 to 70 per cent.

Obed Mogwere, who travels to work from Tshepisong to Roodepoort, feels that increasing taxi fares would be “terrible”.

“What can I do, I have no choice. I must come to work,” he says.

He goes on to say that there is no alternative transport for him. He explains that the buses from Tshepisong do not stop in Roodepoort, forcing him to use taxis.

Another concerned commuter, who works for one of South Africa’s security companies, went as far as to say the increases, along with e-tolls, “will kill everyone”. He also raised the question as to why the taxi associations cannot be subsidised, as is the case with state bus companies.

The index will be released quarterly – to the media and members of Santaco.