Johannesburg taxi drivers, queue marshals and taxi owners interviewed by the Mail & Guardian this week threatened to strike and disrupt bus operations to register their protest against steadily escalating fuel prices.
In just six months taxi fares across Gauteng have increased twice, by an overall 12%.
It now costs commuters R25 for a one-way trip between Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Fleet owners expect drivers to cover their own fuel expenses from their takings. Frequently, they refuse to adjust the daily amount they expect from drivers — generally R1Â 000 — that take fuel price increases into account.
Taxi drivers report a decrease in trade. One driver interviewed by the M&G Online said his margins were squeezed so badly that he intends to quit the industry.
”We will definitely go on strike if the petrol price continues to go up and when we do go on strike no other public transport will function,” said Mandla Cindi, a driver on the Johannesburg Vereeniging route.
”We will bring South Africa to a standstill. Everything that moves by road will stop.”
Taxis account for close to 65% of all commuter traffic in South Africa, with buses and trains accounting for 20% and 15% respectively. The government estimates that there are 150Â 000 minibus taxis operating in the country.
Kabelo Moime, an IT specialist, recently started travelling by bus instead of taxi. Travelling from his Krugersdorp home to work in Sandton by taxi now costs him R900 a month, while Metrobus, the city bus service, costs him R530.
”The only thing I hate about buses is that they take too long — taxis are quicker,” he told the M&G.
Other commuters said they were considering moving to other forms of transport but were reluctant to do so because buses were overcrowded and trains prone to power cuts.
Metrobus confirmed an increase in commuters using its service in recent months, from a daily average of 70Â 000 to 80Â 000 passengers.
Cindi, whose earnings depend on how many commuters he transports daily, said taxi drivers had already taken an effective wage cut because of the rising fuel prices.
”I used to pay close to R500 for a full tank, but now I pay close to R700 every day. Since the price has gone up, we don’t fill the tanks completely any more because the owners still want their R1Â 000 ‘checking’ [daily return].”
Most taxi drivers on major routes in Johannesburg fear losing their jobs and some are considering leaving the industry.
Vusi Tshabalala, a taxi driver and owner operating in Vereeniging, thinks the recent petrol price hikes have had the biggest impact on the industry since he began driving minibus taxis 20 years ago.
”We’re dead already. This petrol problem is killing us and unfortunately we don’t have a solution at the moment, except quitting,” said Tshabalala.
”No one is to blame, but I think a lot of us will attack the government. At the moment it’s peak hour [4.30pm] — but look how empty the rank is. Our customers are running away — we might as well quit.”
Queue marshals, cleaners and hawkers at taxi ranks also complain about poor business. Justice Sebogodi, a Soweto queue marshal, is used to getting a R5 tip from taxi drivers for a full passenger load. He said this was happening less often because commuters have deserted to other forms of transport.
”There are so many taxis in the industry but there are fewer customers. I’m waiting for my wages at the end of this week but where am I going to get it if the drivers are not making enough? We’re in trouble — our jobs are in danger if this thing goes on,” said Sebogodi.