Airport taxi driver squabbles heat up
METERED taxi bosses operating from King Shaka International Airport have had enough of e-hailing drivers touting for business, saying it is only a matter of time before their heated arguments turn violent.
Videos on social media show taxi drivers squabbling with alleged Uber drivers at what appears to be the airport’s pick-up zone.
A video, posted recently, seemingly shows an e-hailing driver trying to convince potential passengers to travel with him as his price was cheaper.
The metered taxi operator, apparently licensed to operate at the airport, would have none of it.
“You are not allowed here,” he shouted. “You cannot do that.”
Another video, posted the same evening, shows a metered taxi driver shouting at an e-hailing driver: “What your’ll want? I have been here eight years in this place …”
The spokesperson for the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), Colin Naidoo, said a few bays were allocated to accredited taxis that operated with permits.
“The e-hailing services are able to access the airport by utilising the public parking facilities when they have pre-booked passengers to pick-up.
“The airport pick-up zone is designed for pick-up only, while a few bays are allocated to the accredited taxis to ensure that passengers use only accredited transport from the airport. The pick-up is also the area for the public to park for short periods and pick-up arriving passengers.
“We have instances where e-hailing drivers use the pick-up zone, parking off their vehicles and waiting around the airport for potential passengers. This is deemed as loitering and touting.
“With their vehicles parked in the pick-up zone, it clogs up that area and does not allow it to be used for what it is designed for. Because of this, there have been reports of altercations and confrontations between drivers.”
He said Acsa’s concern was the safety of passengers and their property. “With the airport being a ● King Shaka International Airport to the CBD
Meter taxi: R280
Uber: R250
● Chatsworth to the airport Meter taxi: R450
Uber: R420 to R430
● Westville to the airport Meter taxi: R410 Uber: R390
● Greyville to the airport Meter taxi: R370 Uber: R310 national key point, we are working with the law enforcement agencies, which include SAPS and Metro Police, who are positioned at the airport to ensure security and safety prevails.”
But upset metered taxi bosses and drivers, who declined to be named, said more needed to be done to prevent e-hailing services, especially Uber SA, from encroaching on their space.
They said the public transport business could be cut-throat, more-so because the unregulated e-hailing prices were cheaper.
“They are not registered. They do not pay for permits and if something had to happen to their passengers, there is no insurance to pay,” claimed a driver.
He said thousands of rand was “stolen” from them daily.
“Metered taxi businesses are barely making ends meet. It’s a dogeat-dog situation at the moment and what’s more upsetting, is that these e-hailing services are not regulated.”
The man added that Uber drivers received a percentage from every trip.
“The prices are low, which means they have to drive more trips to make money. Some of them are working more than 16 hours a day. It’s not safe for them or the passengers.”
In a statement, Uber SA said it had not received reports on intimidation incidents reported by its drivers at the airport.