Businesses support taxi awards

TO improve road safety, local businesses have joined forces with taxi associations in support of the upcoming Taxi Drivers Awards and Road Safety campaign.

During a meeting in Empangeni on Tuesday, stakeholders united on an idea to eliminate road accidents by working together to change the industry.

Ngwelezane Taxi Association chairperson, Skhumbuzo Buthelezi, said associations will ensure safety of their passengers by employing good, qualified drivers

He said workshops are already ongoing which tackle customer care, speeding and basic rules.

‘Drivers are trained on all basic guidelines of road use. We also want to used this groundbreaking initiative to strengthen the relationship between the industry and its customers.

‘It’s time we changed the stigma surrounding our business, and open a communication channel to fight any problems,’ he said

Motor dealerships such as Imperial Nissan Zululand have pledged to support the initiative, and use their ‘I pledge’ campaign to ensure road safety.

‘Our business is community orientated and we like to support any initiative that improves our society. We want to keep the relationship going, and support the future of the industry,’ said Imperial Nissan Zululand dealer principal, Debbie Smith.

The awards

The voting for the Ngwelezane Taxi Driver Awards is already underway, and now commuters can decide who is the best of them all. Passengers have until 18 February to vote, and the special award ceremony will be held on 21 February.

The aim of the initiative, is to promote hard work, good ethics, customer care and professionalism in the industry.

It is spearheaded by the North Coast Group (NCG) in a joint venture with various taxi associations.

Commuters can SMS the taxi’s registration number and driver’s name to 33903.

Voting ends on 18 February.