Uber has passengers covered better
LAW: FIGURES CONFIRM THE MAJORITY OF METERED TAXIS SADLY LACKING IN COMPLIANCE
Metered taxis complaining about competition from Uber – and starting a violent war over this – are not as compliant with the law as Uber.
Ride hailing service drivers have comprehensive, commercial insurance.
Metered taxis complaining about competition from Uber – and starting a violent war over this – are not as compliant with the law as Uber ... nor do they carry the extensive insurance the ride hailing service has.
This has emerged from official figures provided by the Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s office, which show that there are 2 909 metered taxi operators on the records of the department of roads and transport in the province, only 500 of whom have a valid permit.
By comparison, 624 Uber operators have obtained government permits and there are almost 1 800 more applications being considered.
In addition, the ride hailing service has much better insurance than the taxi industry.
The government no longer makes it compulsory for metered taxis to carry public liability insurance, whereas, according to Uber spokesperson Samantha Allenberg, the company has an insurance policy provided by Chubb Insurance South Africa Limited, which covers personal injury cover for riders aged 75 and below, said Allenberg.
In addition, she said, Uber requires all partners to have comprehensive, commercial insurance, with passenger and third party liability of R5 million per annum.
“In the event of an accident, the coverage provides passengers with accident insurance, which includes cover for compensation for accidental death or serious injury” said Allenberg.
Metered taxis, if they are not required by government to carry insurance, then end up passing on the risk to their passengers, who would be forced to claim through the Road Accident Fund (RAF) for any injuries.
A spokesperson for Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi, Melitah Madiba, confirmed that the question of insurance for for-hire vehicles like metered taxis now fell under the RAF.
According to Uber, they have enabled over 4 000 economic opportunities nationally since launching in South Africa. All vehicles registered on the app have a roadworthy certificate and commercial insurance.
Uber has also partnered with RoadCover to provide assistance to riders and third parties with their submission of claims to the RAF “at no cost”. –