At the launch of the new Fiat Ducato, which can double as either a panel van or minibus taxi, we drove around Rosslyn, Pretoria, on a mock taxi route picking up and dropping off a select few commuters.
As the commuters settled into the strange taxi environment of mostly white journalists, they commented on the spaciousness, comfort and safety of the Ducato. I wondered what it would be like for most commuters to be in taxis where they had their own seatbelts, sat on their own chairs instead of on a bench seat and felt the safety of a vehicle with ABS brakes.
I don’t think anyone who uses taxis in South Africa actually wants to do so. I don’t think they would voluntarily put their lives in the hands of drivers who care not for their safety but rather about how many people they can squeeze in and how many trips they can do in 12 hours.
It’s easy, though, to blame taxi drivers, but what about the owners, who don’t service their taxis and give their drivers unrealistic targets, and our transport ministry, which has allowed the problem to grow into an untamable beast?
Unfortunately, the people who pay the highest price for a glaring example of government’s inefficiency are those who cannot afford any other form of transport and are forced into using a system that is in desperate need of an overhaul.
During the launch of the Ducato our driver went off course and we were lost for a substantial part of the day. But while it took some time to get back on schedule, we did have an opportunity to test the new Fiat.
Powered by a 2,3-litre diesel multi-jet engine with an output of 88kW and 320Nm, the 13m Ducato wasn’t the quickest taxi I’ve ever been in. But with the help of a smooth six-speed manual gearbox, increased body rigidity and Macpherson suspension up front, it ranked among the most comfortable.
A huge plus for the Ducato is the service intervals of 45Â 000km, with oil changes every 22Â 500km, and another feather in its cap are the competitive prices, which start at R239Â 900 for the 10m panel van and end at R266Â 100 for the 13m panel van.