Transport plan team ‘gives attention’ to e-hailing services
George Municipality has confirmed that there are no licensed Uber and Bolt operators in the George municipal area. Any such operators transporting passengers are doing so illegally.
The municipality responded to a complaint of an Uber-registered operator who is unable to obtain a permit from the licensing authority, the Department of Transport and Public Works.
The Transport Department's refusal letter in response to the complainant's application points out that "public transport requirements are adequately served by other PT [public transport] services" and that the rejection was further motivated by the provisions of the applicable Integrated Transport Plan (in this case, of George) as well as the directions of the municipality and comments from interested and affected parties.
According to the complainant, who requested her identity to be withheld, several Uber operators are active in George. "Many of our clients are international visitors. They make use of our service, even though we tell them beforehand that we operate without permits. They trust the service. To register as an Uber operator, a roadworthy vehicle test, criminal clearance and comprehensive insurance are required."
She says there is a gap in the market for e-hailing services. "Go George and minibus taxis are limited in the hours and areas in which they offer services. We have a different market.
Uber's hours are not limited and clients do not need to walk to a collection/drop-off point. We pick them up where needed and drop them at their destination."
George draft transport plan
George municipal communications chief Chantèl Edwards explained that the current Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP) for George was adopted before e-hailing services were available and therefore it does not take these services into account. However, the municipality is in the process of finalising its draft revised five-year plan. It will be made available for public comment before being adopted by Council. "It would be irresponsible of the municipality to support any such applications until such time as the revised CITP has been finalised and approved."
The transport plan enables the municipality in terms of the National Land Transport Act to carefully balance the supply and demand of public transport services. "This regulation is critical to ensure that certain routes and/or types of services are not overtraded, often leading to friction and violence between operators due to unsustainable passenger numbers. All e-hailing metered taxi services (on-demand services) such as Uber and Bolt are regulated in terms of the above and require the operator to have a valid operating licence (permit)."
She said the 2019 SDF includes the direction given in the current CITP, namely to consider both the regulation and enablement of technology-driven changes in the transport environment, as well as current travel behaviour and perceptions through a user travel survey.
"As part of the CITP revision, a multidisciplinary team has been giving significant attention to both these aspects, as well as several other critical elements affecting the future of transport across George."
Edwards cautioned members of the public against using any illegal operators.
To register as an Uber operator, a roadworthy vehicle test, criminal clearance and comprehensive insurance are required.