There have been 1 600 applications for taxis in Gauteng to head for the minibus graveyard in line with the second phase of the taxi-recapitalisation programme (TRP) in the province.
The provincial transport department said on Wednesday that 75 old taxis had been scrapped since the end of March and a further 122 had been prepared for scrapping.
”The second phase of the TRP involves the scrapping of the old taxi vehicles [OTVs] that are older than 10 years,” spokesperson Alfred Nhlapo explained. ”The operators of these ‘scrapped’ OTVs will receive a one-off compensation payment of R50 000.”
The scrapping of OTVs will be followed by the introduction of new taxi vehicles (NTVs) and operating subsidies to the taxi industry.
”Government has regulated the specifications for the NTVs, with the aim of ensuring uniform standards in respect of safety, the number of passengers that the NTV can accommodate, and other related matters,” said Nhlapo. ”Manufacturers of NTVs have to conform to the specifications that have been gazetted.”
He said this is an indication of the progress the government and the taxi industry are making to improve the quality of public transport. ”At the same time, government will ensure through law-enforcement processes that all OTVs not fit or safe for use are impounded and scrapped.
”Through volunteering or forced scrapping, Gauteng’s roads will be cleared of unsafe OTVs and all Gauteng’s citizens, be they taxi commuters, other drivers or pedestrians, will be accorded their constitutional right to safety.”
On another front, the department said it is processing 2 800 applications a week for taxi drivers to have their radius-based permits converted to route-based operating licences. There have been 50 000 applications so far. — Sapa