Share

New image, business model for taxi industry

Johannesburg - The taxi industry is under-recognised for its role in SA's economy, according to the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).

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.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.05
-0.7%
Rand - Pound
23.98
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.55
-0.4%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.7%
Platinum
894.10
-0.3%
Palladium
996.00
-0.6%
Gold
2,193.32
-0.1%
Silver
24.41
-1.0%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
67,889
+0.3%
All Share
74,074
+0.2%
Resource 10
56,132
+0.9%
Industrial 25
103,554
+0.3%
Financial 15
16,492
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders