It said collectively SA's taxi industry owns 180 000 taxis, travelling 78 million kilometres and moving 15 million commuters a day.
"Annually the industry consumes petrol to the combined value of R15bn, spends R2bn on insurance, R600m on tyres, R110m on lubricants and pays R7bn in salaries," Santaco said in a statement.
Santaco announced that it has elected Philip Taaibosch as its National President.
Taaibosch started his working life as a mineworker in the Free State. Over the past 15 years he has worked his way up the leadership ladder of the taxi structures
Santaco said this appointment came as no surprise in a non-contested ballot, with Taaibosch having successfully fulfilled his role as secretary general of Santaco over the past few years.
In his opening address as president Taaibosch sent out a clear message in terms of where the industry is heading and how it is poised to take on a new image and business approach.
Key points
During his four year term Taaibosch wants to focus on training of the leadership in the taxi industry.
Through Santaco's commercial arm, TaxiChoice, the industry will also be taking equity stakes in numerous up-and-downstream enterprises.
He wants to encourage the industry to buy collectively and through the power of wholesale, drive supplier prices as low as possible.
Through its media company Yebo Taxi Media, the industry will be providing advertising agencies access to the industry and its many commuters, in a manner that will share revenues with the industry and its vehicle owners
Santaco will be rolling out an electronic vehicle management system, whereby commuters will pay for their taxi fare using smart cards.
The employment of drivers will be formalised and employment benefits investigated.
The organisations will also be piloting the fitment of gas conversions for taxis in meeting the industry’s commitment towards a greener public transport system.
Splinter groups
Taaibosch has invited the other splinter groups within the industry to join Santaco, put aside their differences and work as a single voice in lobbying government and the private sector on behalf of the approximately 110 000 taxi owners across South Africa.
He expressed his gratefulness at the support the industry has received from government so far and he asked the department of transport to speed up the discussions on subsidising the taxi industry.
Taaibosch is upbeat about the future of the industry.
"Through our unity and intent of entering the mainstream economy, we look forward to capitalising on real opportunities for our members, safer and more efficient transport for our commuters and longstanding, mutually beneficial relations with our public and private partners," said Taaibosch.