Moja Cruise to monitor city’s taxis

THE city has made the first move in its plans to subsidise the taxi industry to make it safe, clean and reliable.

This week a pilot taxi programme “Moja Cruise” was introduced to commuters in the city centre.

The programme is aimed improving safety and cleanliness public transport.

The branded taxis will be monitored in order to qualify for a cash incentive. The amount has not yet been announced.

The taxis will continue to operate on their licensed routes as per usual. Commuters will be able to rate their trips on Moja Cruise taxis as part of the overall offering to ensure that the relevant criteria is met by the owner and the driver.

The programme will run for six months and will include 500 vehicles.

The number of taxis was expected to increase to 6 000 when the city approves the full adoption of the programme.

The programme was part of the city’s multi-billion integrated rapid transport network, GO! Durban which is currently under way.

Chairperson for the Human Settlements and Infrastructure committee, Mondli Mthembu said the aim of the programme was to proactively empower the minibus taxi industry at all levels.

Chairperson of the ethekwini Metro Taxi Council Bheki Nzuza said by working in collaboration with the city they had been able to offer their expertise in a consultative and collaborative process.

“We have found positive solutions to the challenges that we face as businesses. We all look forward to seeing the programme work, and to an improved service and business model for our constituents.”

Mayor Zandile Gumede said national and provincial departments would be monitoring the progress to bring taxi industry into the fold.

“We have great hopes that it will significantly shift the current public transport offerings to our citizens, and act as a model that could be rolled out around the country.” at in