The scrapping of old taxis will start in October, Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe announced on Friday.
He said 115 000 or 98% of taxi operators have already applied for conversion of their permits into operating licences as part of the taxi recapitalisation programme.
Radebe was speaking at the end of a two-day transport meeting, held outside Pretoria, where the issue was discussed.
He said the scrapping agency was finalising the setting up of scrapping facilities across the country.
”Vehicle testing centres will be conducting testing of old taxis. Those found to be unroadworthy will be forwarded to the nearest scrapping agency facility and owners will be advised to apply for the scrapping allowance,” Radebe said.
In the meantime, the department was also fast tracking the process of certification of new taxis. The specifications of the new vehicles will be gazetted soon, the department said. — Sapa