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A substantial majority of South Africans support the government's plans to phase out minibus taxis.

   In a nationwide survey, six out of ten respondents - commuters and non-commuters - approved the phasing out of the estimated 130 000 taxis on the country's roads in favour of larger buses. Just under three out of every ten persons were opposed to the plan.

   The survey, among a representative nationwide sample of 2 700 adult South Africans, was conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The government's R3 billion recapitalisation programme during the next five years is far advanced and was recently approved by all political parties during a parliamentary debate.

   Mr Richard Humphries, researcher, said the support was general because respondents were expecting the bigger buses, seating between 18 and 35 persons, to be safer than taxis. Approximately two out of ten persons supported the introduction of buses because they would be more comfortable than taxis. Thirteen per cent supported the plan because of the levels of crime and violence often associated with the taxi industry.

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