Taxi licence issues

THEletter from Basil Nagel, “No change on overlooked minibus taxis” (July 15, 2015) and the article “Operating licences for Uber slammed” (July 16, 2015) refer. Some statements regarding illegal minibus taxis and taxi wars made by Mr Nagel are untrue.

We have always strongly condemned route invasions and policy does not support two associations on one route. This policy, as enshrined in the City’s operating licence strategy, is one association per route.

We have also taken disciplinary action against associations who are violating the code of conduct and other legal prescripts, and invested considerable time, energy and resources into mediating between disputing parties. The issue of illegal minibus-taxi operations is ultimately a law enforcement matter and the City of Cape Town Traffic Services has been taking the appropriate action.

With regard to operating conditions for Uber partners, these have been imposed by the PRE in terms of section 57(5) of the National Land Transport Act and are a combination of standard conditions imposed by the PRE, as well as conditions requested by the City of Cape Town, as the planning authority on all public transport within the Metro.

Conditions imposed, as directed by the City, include: a fare structure as with any other metered taxi; the need for a sealed meter within the vehicle; and the display of certain markings on the vehicles of Uber partners that include the type of service being rendered.

The only difference is that Uber partners have been exempted from the requirement of a roof sign by the PRE and the City of Cape Town as the planning authority.