Taxi operators, government should iron out differences

20 April 2009

It is important for taxi operators and government to keep talking until a solution around the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is found, ANC President Jacob Zuma said today (20 April 2009).

Addressing members of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) attending the Bus BRT meeting in Midrand this afternoon, Zuma said the slow progress in discussions around the project was a result of poor communication between the taxi industry and the government.

The BRT project, which is aimed at transforming and improving the transport system, has been met with resistance by the taxi industry

"We need to find ways to discuss soberly so that we can all identify that which divides us.," he said.

Zuma said taxi operators had a duty to change the current negative perceptions around the taxi industry.

"It has to start with you - the manner in which you conduct yourself matters. How you handle life's complex problems without resorting to anger is important. Anger cannot solve anything," he said.

While the incoming government would do everything possible to resolve problems faced by the industry, taxi operators should invest beyond the taxi industry.

"This industry needs to take advantage of the government's economic empowerment opportunities. I think one of the issues that the industry must be seized with is how do you expand your role in the economy. I don't see why you cannot, in addition to taxis; expand into, for example, aircraft, and train and bus businesses. The popular belief, which is not correct, is that this industry belongs to the second economy. It in fact belongs to the first economy due to the huge amounts of money it handles," Zuma said.

The industry transports 15 million passengers daily; it spends R2 billion on fuel annually and spends a further R5 billion on salaries.

Zuma urged taxi operators to hold the government to account on promises the state made to the industry.

"During the time that we were campaigning I made it clear that the ANC was not impressed with the speed at which government responds to issues. This is the reason why we will establish a performance monitoring system to deal with this phenomenon."

Zuma also welcomed SANTACO's commitment to ensuring that its members vote in Wednesday's election. Recent media reports had suggested that taxi operators would stay away from the elections in protest against the BRT system.

Zuma said SANTACO's decision to encourage its members to participate in the elections ensured that the industry's role in fight against apartheid would not be eroded.

It was in the interest of taxi operators for the ANC to get an overwhelming majority in the upcoming elections as this meant that the ruling party would be in a better position to resolve the many problems faced by the industry.

"I am happy that the issue has been clarified. This industry has a responsibility to protect our hard fought democratic gains. Many of your colleagues participated in the struggle when they transported our cadres in and out of the country, risking detention and police harassment. As I have said during the campaign, you must purchase enough petrol to ensure that our people are ferried to the voting stations," Zuma said.

Issued by:
African National Congress

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