Taxi associations called on to be vigilant of Patrollers’ conduct

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The transport portfolio committee chairperson, Donald Selamolela, has called on taxi associations to be vigilant against the conduct of some of their patrollers.

The public outcry comes after a video of an alleged vehicle blocking a private vehicle that allegedly picked up a hitchhiker surfaced social media platforms.

To add salt to the wound South African National Taxi Association Council representative Fanyana Sibanyoni came out to support the patrollers’ conduct and sought to suggest that minibus taxi operators had an exclusive right to pick up people.

Selamolela said the committee will soon arrange a meeting with the industry on its programme to, among other things, understand this matter.

“There has been too much negativity about operations of the taxi industry nationwide, and with the invention of social media, one can never tell if the videos and voice notes are regurgitated.

“However, associations should prevail on their members and have decent and enforceable code of conduct.

“We must all work to improve the taxi industry, where it becomes transport of choice rather than convenience. Some of the transgressions the drivers commit are wholly unnecessary and can frustrate any improvisation in the industry,” he said.

Selamolela stated that the transport department informed the committee on Tuesday that it is looking to pilot an electronic payment system in association with the industry.

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He added; “But not only that, the department is looking to review and improve the amount paid to the taxi recapitalisation programme.

“This kind of behaviour, especially if the video on social media is not a dated video, frustrates the work of government and compromises the industry in the eyes of the public.”