New options being assessed as sun sets on taxi-recap programme
First approved by Cabinet in 1999, the taxi recapitalisation programme (TRP) will come to an end in September, says Deputy Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga.
The TRP aimed to replace South Africa’s minibus taxi fleet with new vehicles, adhering to stricter safety standards. The programme allowed for a scrapping allowance to be paid to assist taxi operators in buying replacement vehicles.
However, today, in 2013, many older taxis without the new safety features, such as seat belts for every passenger, still operate on South Africa’s roads.
Apart from the scrapping allowance, taxi operators do not receive subsidies from government, while other public transport modes, such as Metrorail, the Gautrain, as well as bus companies, all receive financial assistance.
Chikunga says the Department of Transport (DoT) is “assessing different options as a way forward” for the programme.
“We are reviewing and evaluating the pro-cess. “Our view is now we should possibly give a subsidy that would benefit the [taxi] commuter. “This could be the best way to go. We’ll make an announcement as soon as we have finished this evaluation.”
Chikunga notes that a commuter-based subsidy could be similar to the one given to bus operator Putco, where the company is provided with funding according to the number of passengers it transports on a specific bus route.
She emphasises, however, the process is still in an exploratory phase.
Looking back at the long-running, often controversial TRP, Chikunga says the DoT has “learned many lessons”, but that it “does not regret implementing the programme – it gave us the opportunity to learn”.
The minibus taxi is the main public transport mode in South Africa, carrying around 65% of all commuters.
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