Taxi industry in South Africa has been hit hard by the lockdown as it means that their daily targets for their businesses could not be met. The transport system as a whole has been hit hard as they are now limited on how they load and the times they have to start working and ending. There are a lot of problems that has been going on in the industry over the years and this time could be the perfect time to resolve them as the government is in control.
Minibus taxis are only allowed to carry not more than 7 passengers per trip as it is regarded as a big risk for more than 7 people to be in one taxi. They also have to start working at 5am in the morning and and their morning shift at 10am then in the afternoon they have to start again at 16pm and then end their day at 21pm. The minibus taxis are only allowed to transport essential workers from their homes to work and also ordinary citizens to go and buy groceries.
The Uber taxi industry has also suffered a lot as their business has declined by more than 80 percent as they are now only allowed to work at the same times as minibus taxis. They are only allowed to transport not more than 2 people which means the car must not have more than 3 people when transporting essential workers from and to work and also ordinary citizens when they go out for essential services.
The government is said to be going to subsidize the taxi industry around May 2020 as the industry is the backbone of transport system in South Africa. There are a number of old minibus taxis which are not roadworthy and now it is the time for the government to take them off the road as they are a big risk to users.
Essential workers are now required to go to work and ask for another transportation if they knock off early at work they can request standby Uber taxi as long as they have a permit by their side at all times. All taxis have been sanitized by the government and the owners are continuing to do so to make sure they protect the passengers and the drivers to stay safe from the coronavirus. Passengers are also encouraged to use fase masks and hand gloves to protect themselves.
