‘Uber Bill’ hearing ends

Written comment and suggestions requested.

The Western Cape legislature’s transport and public works standing committee has concluded its final public hearing on the draft National Land Transport Amendment Bill, or the so-called “Uber Bill”, and has now called for written comment or submissions.

The hearings took place in George and Cape Town and concluded on August 8, committee chairperson Nceba Hinana said yesterday.

The National Land Transport Act (NLTA) was passed to restructure the national land transport system that was started by the previous Transition Act (NLTTA). The amendment bill provided for developments since 2009, such as regulating the electronic-hailing (e-hailing) industries, including Uber and Taxify, and creating provisions for non-motorised transport.

“Among the concerns over the bill were the long waiting periods for operating licences (OLs), as the bill proposes harsher punishments, including imprisonment, for drivers without OLs. Some drivers have reported waiting up to two years to receive their OLs and would be left jobless if this amendment was passed,” Hinana said.

A second issue was that the bill proposed colour coding or using symbols to mark e-hailing vehicles. However, the transport industry was marked by intense competition, taxi violence, and train and bus arson.

“I commend members of the public for their participation. While differences in opinion were present, participants respectfully and peacefully listened to one another. This allowed for robust and strong views to be aired by those who [either] support [or] reject the bill,” Hinana said.

The committee would question the City of Cape Town about the predominant cause of delays in generating OLs and what could be done to address this.

The next stage in the legislative process was for written submissions and comments to be sent in by August 20. These should reach Shareen Niekerk, committee co-ordinator, 4th Floor, Provincial Legislature Building, 7 Wale Street, Cape Town, by 12 noon on Monday August 20. – ANA