Yays and boos as Knysna taxis up New ride-hailing service could save Knysna’s flaccid nighttime economy, offers jobs for 1 000 local drivers
All Knysnarians who have long since suffered from CRD (chronic roadblock fatigue) will no doubt be elated with news of a spanking new ride-hailing service which might even afford Knysna the opportunity to salvage its chronically ailing night-time economy and turn the coastal haven from a virtual after-dark ghost town into the lively hub that it potentially could be.
But not everyone is as happy with the announcement that Uber’s great competitor Taxify is all set to go along the Garden Route for the upcoming summer holiday season.
‘But what about us?’
Ben Demengo of Bennies Tours said the service would have a devastating effect on the taxicab business. “We live and work in Knysna, and now this private company wants to come here, without proper permits, and take our business? What about us?”
Knysna Taxi Forum secretary Xolani Tsese believes the problem lies with the municipality. “Why were we not consulted? This is the first time we are hearing about this. We are already rendering the same service to the public, and we will not just accept this with our arms folded,” Tsese said. “We will consult our members and decide what action we can take to protest this service.”
An independent taxi service provider, Daniel Gelant of Gelant Cabs, said that Taxify will harm his business. “Knysna is too expensive to have such drastic price decreases. It will harm my business and I’m totally against it.” He also stated that he would consider options as to how this service can be resisted in Knysna.
‘Huge market that will respond’
But Taxify national manager Gareth Taylor stated that there is a huge market that will respond to the service – and which will not affect the present status quo.
“There will always be competition but that is healthy for the industry and the consumer. In our experience in South Africa thus far, we find a little resistance from traditional taxi drivers at first but once people better understand the system we find the same taxi operators applying to be loaded onto our system and driving for Taxify.”
According to Taylor, Taxify plans to launch on the Garden Route in time for the summer holiday season, which will allow the hefty chunk of Knysna’s good citizens who have given up on going out after sunset, at least partly due to what some might term a perennially present traffic police presence, to once more start blowing the dust off their dancing shoes.
Launch later this month
Like Uber, Taxify allows passengers to request a driver at the tap of their cellphone screen. Most such services promise to be at a requested pickup destination within 5 minutes of being hailed but this depends on the number of drivers on the service’s books,” Taylor explained. Taxify has launched a recruitment drive for up to 1 000 driver partners ahead of its launch later this month in Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay.
The service will come as great relief not only for Knysna night owls but for anyone with a pressing need to go from A to B who has been dependent on (or rather subjected to) a tiny cluster of independent taxis concerns, some who charge fees of up to R60/km – whereas Taxify aims to charge clients a minimum fee of R22 for a distance up to 2.5km with longer trips costing R6/km plus 60c/min (or R7/km plus 70c/min in peak season). (Other service providers who charge more or less the same as Taxify on the short distance do exist but would make clients wait considerably longer as they consist of only a single driver/vehicle).
‘Good news for unemployed’
Another faction of the area’s social structure that will be happy with
Taxify’s local presence is the unemployed as well as anyone wishing to make a few extra rands moonlighting for the service. Drivers will receive 85% of all fares paid by riders – significantly higher than similar platforms, Taylor explained. And they are their own boss – choosing the hours they work, in the areas they prefer. There are no predetermined routes, no monthly fees and no taxi ranks. “Drivers can use the platform to start their own business and earn a sustainable, consistent income,” said Taylor. “Some drivers own their vehicles, while others work for fleet owners who have created new ride-hailing businesses.”
According to Taylor, ride-hailing services have not been plagued by violence from rival taxi services in smaller towns like they have in the larger cities, but in terms of security, his service is in partnership with cellphone app Namola, which provides drivers with an SOS service that offer immediate access to medical, police and other emergency services if needed.
Why only now?
Asked why now, after Knysna has been yearning for such a service for so many years, Taylor said they had to complete feasibility studies in the area and garner funds from the European mother company to offer starting subsidies for first-time employees – but he admitted that he had first-hand knowledge of Knysna’s particular problem since he used to holiday here as a student. “I remember what a drag it was to have to call my dad to come pick me up late at night because of the roadblocks and because there was no affordable transport system in place,” he said.
Asked why there has never been a sustainable public transport system established in Knysna, the municipality responded thus: ‘’The Knysna Municipality, in its CBD Renewal Programme, which was launched earlier this year, makes provision for the consideration of an integrated transport system.”