Transformation should be at core of an IRT process that impacts taxi industry

THE front page of the Cape Times (September 10) had a very powerful image of rugby transformation efforts, its panel of participants geared for deep discussion into the mechanics of making the sport more inclusive and engaged in discussions of transformation.

This is the efforts of rugby and sport, the image reflects the number of media and professional services engaged to debate the merits of transformation.

These processes, debates and discussions don’t appear to be present in minibus taxi transformation. I raise this particular point because if this is what we are doing to ensure we get transformation right in sport, then why do we not employ the same methodology in economics?

Economics that can be impactful on the lives of so many.

This is where the communication breaks down. Transformation as a topic of debate appears to be just fine for rugby and other sports, but shift that same debate to public transport and we have to follow a strict path that dictates how transformation, progress and beneficiaries of transformation will be set out.

There will be no debate, no forum for discussion and no inclusivity. My question to government, public transport officials and more importantly minibus taxi industry stakeholders – when are we going to have the debate on taxi industry transformation?

As an industry we are leaders in public transport, but we are content to accept the status quo. Transformation should be at the core of an IRT (Integrated Rapid Transit) process that impacts the taxi industry, but we need the professionals and the media exposure to raise much-needed debate around inclusivity. My appeal would be for minibus taxi associations, taxi operators and affected communities to think carefully about transformation and how it would affect their lives.

Then decide whether it is a topic worthy of pursuing, funding, debating and, more importantly, collaboration. We need to be conscious of our decisions and play a significant role in our own transformation.