Photo by: Creamer Media
The Department of Transport’s (DoT’s) Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP) has managed to scrap more than 81 000 old taxi vehicles and has paid out R5.6-billion in scrapping allowances to taxi operators between October 2006 and March this year.
The TRP has helped to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers on South Africa’s roads, with the majority of taxis on the road now meeting all necessary safety requirements, including working safety belts and rollover bars.
The TRP set out to scrap 135 000 unroadworthy taxis in October 2006, when the programme was established, with the scrapping allowance set at R50 000.
The scrapping allowance increased to R151 000 since the start of April.
The DoT plans to scrap 3 750 old taxis in the current financial year, and will continue to work with taxi associations to encourage their members to scrap old vehicles.