Pretoria - Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says the real empowerment of the taxi industry is no longer merely a cliche but is fast becoming a reality.
"... We have constantly maintained that the taxi industry ... cannot forever remain at the margins in economic terms. The taxi industry is a key player in the economy of our country ... and the transport sector.
"We must also open the taxi industry to include activities beyond the running of a taxi to other benefits in the transport value-chain. The taxi industry must, therefore, access as many opportunities in the transport sector and in the broader economy," said Ndebele on Monday.
In a statement, Ndebele announced some of the steps his department had taken towards empowering the taxi industry.
"This includes the Free State Provincial Government's Maluti Bus Service transformation process, which is starting to bear positive results for these beneficiaries of broad-based Black empowerment. To date, about 148 former employees have received R40 000 each and payment to the remaining beneficiaries is expected to be finalised by the end of March 2011.
"The taxi industry, through their shareholding in Maluti Bus Service (MBS), currently has accumulated about R9 million, which will be reinvested in the transformed MBS for purchasing of a new fleet of buses. Taxi operators are to acquire a decisive and quantifiable benefit in this process, and equally strike a balance in the viability of the business and the financing thereof," said Ndebele.
On 7 February 2011, the Transport Department handed over to taxi industry shareholders Phase 1A Bus Operating Company of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Johannesburg. The value of the contract is approximately R184 million per year.
"These and other empowerment initiatives within the transport sector indicate that we are certainly moving in the right direction towards ensuring that the taxi industry becomes part of the mainstream economy," said Ndebele.
The taxi industry has more than 64 percent of commuting services in South Africa. It is the biggest black-owned industry, and is available in every town.
"... A vibrant taxi industry that shares the vision of transformation in improving public transport, in addition to bus operators and passenger rail operations, is what is needed in our country ... It is only through working together that our endeavour to implement our much needed integrated public transport networks can be achieved," said Ndebele. - BuaNews
