Fair legislation is key to levelling the playing field for the taxi industry

I WRITE in response to the article from David Lazarus, “Mature, adult behaviour required” (Cape Times Insight, September 9). Firstly, thank you for responding with such critical thinking and applying your mind to your response.

It needs to be said that the chaos we see today did not arise solely from within the taxi industry; many external factors (including politics) still do influence and determine the path of this industry.

The ongoing issue regarding the taxi industry behaviour, their volatile nature, is an immediate concern. It begs the question, “Why it has taken so long to be addressed.” The crux of the problem rests within communication, administration and enforcement.

Let’s not forget that there is a quantum of responsibility that rests with the department of transport and enforcement agencies that govern our roads.

I do not condone the bad behaviour that we see on the road; I agree that it is appalling and I am the first to speak out when I see tragedy after tragedy on our roads that involve irresponsible operators.

You are correct, mature, adult behaviour is definitely required, but that expectation requires very practical steps to ensure we create an environment for the type of behaviour we want to see.

Competitive environments are created by legislation that undermines the taxi industry.

You should look into the reasons why the transport agencies entertain applications for new routes that they are aware will interfere with existing operations, especially when no one wants to take responsibility for that poor planning, coupled with a complete lack of resources to manage their own Frankenstein operation.

You indicate that I may be closed to the idea of an integrated transport system or co-operation with either government or other representatives in the minibus taxi environment, then let me be clear: I welcome the idea of integrated public transport. I have been calling for unity in the industry for decades, but my call for unity and a complete overhaul of the industry have fallen on deaf ears, because for the most part, government knows best.

I am all too aware that integration will never be possible without collaboration, and this is where the CITP falls short. How exactly did they get to the role that the minibus taxi industry will play, and with whom did they collaborate?

The dissension in the ranks of the industry shows we are divided, so who represented the interests of the industry? Where you may see a fair game plan for public transport, on the ground, it translates to chaos.

Are we expecting too much? The answer is no – just a level playing field. I doubt you understand what “survivalist” mentality is required to put food on the table. It’s not in your DNA to respond to a threat to your livelihood with violence, threatening behaviour and a taxi chase from point A to point B just to feed your family.

When you make the call for mature and adult behaviour, I simply agree with you, but let’s put the facts on the table. Let’s not disregard why you deem my demands to be so great that they cannot be dealt with through the proposed transport strategy. They can.

You only need to put taxi industry operators, government and the private sector in a room to resolve their differences and collaborate to find some middle ground.

Can you remind me of any taxi conference that has taken place in Cape Town to that effect? With respect, Mr Lazarus, don’t be fooled by our leaders that all has been done to accommodate the taxi industry.

The divide and conquer methodology is alive and well in Cape Town. When I ask that government treat the taxi industry with the same dignity and seriousness as rail and bus, we get a blank stare in return, as if the industry is not worthy thereof.

Your own proposal to JP Smith regarding a taxi academy refers. How far did that conversation go? We’ve had that conversation on the table since 1995. I’ve long since dropped the pretence that legislation serves all; it only serves society to keep the status quo, not to redefine us as a country or catapult us forward.

So we need to change legislation to take that leap – not wait for government to make the changes while we sit back, fingers crossed.

This is more than challenging the CITP; it’s a time for us to dig in our heels on any legislation that will see one group rise above another. My call for “access” is far deeper than what you propose and we simply cannot flip a switch and make a great taxi industry.

Access is defined by legislation, and it starts with defining who we are, what we want and how we want to achieve access, free of discrimination, transparent and singularly focused on solutions guided by a set of rules that is fair.

Nagel is a taxi transformation catalyst.