More years of taxi 'death traps'

2003-11-24 18:30

Pretoria - Minibus taxi operators have more four years before they have to start complying with basic safety regulations, Transport Minister Dullah Omar announced on Monday.

These specifications relate to safety requirements such as a roll-over bar on all vehicles, a proper chassis, and safety belts for all passengers.

Revealing the target dates for the recapitalisation of the industry, he said operators should have enough time to find finance for and buy their vehicles.

"Between now and 2008, no vehicle will be refused a licence because it does not comply with the basic specifications," said Omar.

"And no vehicle will be removed from the road before 2010 because it does not comply with basic specifications."

The recapitalisation programme aims to replace about 97 000 ageing minibus taxis with safe, efficient 18- and 35-seater vehicles, and to regulate and empower the taxi industry.

Omar met the leadership of the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) on Monday to discuss the organisation's request for clarity on the target dates for the project.

These dates had to be fixed by the minister in terms of section 31 of the National Land Transport Transition Act.

A deadline, not before October next year, should be set after which no public passenger vehicle would be licensed unless it complied with safety specifications.

A second date, not earlier than October 2006, should be determined after which vehicles not complying with the basic specifications would be removed from the road.

Turned down extension dates

Omar said October 2008 had been fixed as the cut-off date with regard to the licensing of vehicles.

The date after which only vehicles adhering to safety regulations would be allowed on the road was October 2010.

A request by Santaco for the two deadlines to be extended by another two years could not be met, Omar said.

The KwaZulu-Natal Taxi Council was granted an urgent High Court interdict last month to stop the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the government and Santaco. It contended members had not seen the contents of the agreement.

On Monday, Omar blamed the court action mainly on what he described as a lack of information and consultation.

Omar said Santaco was about to embark on a road show to explain the taxi recapitalisation programme.

The project goes on regardless

He said bidders for supplying the new vehicles would have to offer a share of 25.1% to Santaco.

The objective was to ensure that Santaco and its members benefited from the project.

Santaco president Tom Muofhe welcomed the target dates, saying this should satisfy all provinces.

"Today, we clear up all the uncertainties that have prevailed, and (we have) resolved any outstanding questions."

Muofhe emphasised that the recapitalisation project was continuing as before.

- SAPA