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Johannesburg - The transport department intends creating viable public transport and taking the focus off building more roads, according to a new 10-year strategy announced by Minister Sibusiso Ndebele on Tuesday.
"Our focus... is to place transport at the centre of moving South Africa from being a developing country to being a developed country... The taxi industry can help us create a reliable, safe and affordable transport system for our 50-million strong population," Ndebele told taxi industry representatives in Midrand, according to a copy of his speech.
The so-called TR3 2020 strategy would "redefine, restructure and reposition" the taxi industry. He said the taxi industry had a bad image but accounted for 65% of public transport use.
The department offered R5.5m to a "taxi academy" to develop skills. The department would further help create "corporate structures" in the industry.
"We guarantee government support. We want the industry to take this giant leap through the training of owners and drivers, maintaining unity and becoming investment partners in the public transport system of our country."
Ndebele said the partnership between taxi owners, the government, the private sector, banks and car manufacturers should be consolidated by March.
He said over the past 10 years, investment in the taxi industry increased through the ownership of garages, dealerships and partnerships with vehicle makers such as Toyota. The industry's turnover last year was R16.5bn.
"We need to look beyond just the obvious opportunities and look at the entire value-chain... There are massive opportunities in the local manufacturing of buses, taxis and also rail coaches and locomotives. These opportunities are about deriving economic benefits through the entire value-chain."
"Our focus... is to place transport at the centre of moving South Africa from being a developing country to being a developed country... The taxi industry can help us create a reliable, safe and affordable transport system for our 50-million strong population," Ndebele told taxi industry representatives in Midrand, according to a copy of his speech.
The so-called TR3 2020 strategy would "redefine, restructure and reposition" the taxi industry. He said the taxi industry had a bad image but accounted for 65% of public transport use.
The department offered R5.5m to a "taxi academy" to develop skills. The department would further help create "corporate structures" in the industry.
"We guarantee government support. We want the industry to take this giant leap through the training of owners and drivers, maintaining unity and becoming investment partners in the public transport system of our country."
Ndebele said the partnership between taxi owners, the government, the private sector, banks and car manufacturers should be consolidated by March.
He said over the past 10 years, investment in the taxi industry increased through the ownership of garages, dealerships and partnerships with vehicle makers such as Toyota. The industry's turnover last year was R16.5bn.
"We need to look beyond just the obvious opportunities and look at the entire value-chain... There are massive opportunities in the local manufacturing of buses, taxis and also rail coaches and locomotives. These opportunities are about deriving economic benefits through the entire value-chain."
