COMMUTERS from Imbali, Snathing, Dambuza, Ashdown and other areas will have to fork out more as taxi fares are to increase from Monday, 5 September.
This was confirmed by Umgungundlovu Regional Taxi Council deputy chairperson, Nhlanhla Nkomo, who said fared will increase by R1 in all 40 associations under their banner.
Some associations will increase fares from today, 1 September and others from Monday, 5 September, Nkomo said.
“The decision to increase taxi fares every year was agreed on nationally in 2012. The last time the fare increased in Umgungundlovu was in 2014, this was done so as to not overburden commuters with huge increases.”
He said many things determine fare increases.
“Fuel price is not the only determining factor, there are many other expenses involved, including taxi driver wages, taxi parts and the general maintenance of taxis to make sure our commuters are transported in comfortable and roadworthy taxis.
“The money we get is sometimes not enough to cover all our expenses.”
This increase means that Imbali residents will now pay R24 for a return trip to the Pietermaritzburg CBD.
Nkomo said they had liaised with the National Public Transport Passenger Association (NPTPA) before deciding on the hike.
“In our associations we have people who are part of the NPTPA, which is the body that protects the rights of commuters. We do not make any decisions without consulting with them first because we understand that commuters are important stakeholders in the taxi industry,” he said.
Maritzburg Echo readers on Facebook had mixed reactions on the fare increase.
Sibusiso Sika MaMabaso Xaba: “As it is at the moment people are struggling to pay R11. Abantu always have at least R10 and from Edendale Mall kunabantu abafuna ukukhokha oR5 angisayiphathi eyase Crossini it’s like its official to pay R5, kunabantu base Hulamin its non- negotiable for them to pay R5 sobona.”
Luyanda Sthandwa Khizo: “Saze savelelwa bo, kodwa if kwehla upetrol imali abayehlisi.”
Siza Phakathwayo: “Inzima lemali yamakhumbi and kungcono ukuthi babiza umphakathi sibonisane manje bavele babeke leliphepha nje kungcono ukuba kukhona amabhasi ngabe umuntu ugibela wona kudlaliwe ngathi lana.”
Thanda Ngobese: “This is unfair.The petrol price just took a dip on what bases is the commuter price hiking. Another petrol price drop is anticipated. So what is going on?”
Msho Mashobane Kumalo: “Listen people, petrol is not the only expense a taxi has to pay. There are many expenses which have to be accounted such as driver’s wages/salaries, tyre service kits and lastly the replacement of the vehicle. So please abantu bakithi asingadlali ngosomatekisi ngoba nakhu bengafundile iningi labo.”
Sthembiso KaMuji WaseNgweni KaNene: “Sekwabiza kanjena ukuya es’thawa.”
Phupho Leyntomb Zabantu Mchunu: “Iphutha leli elibhalwe la, ePeacevalley bekuwu R10 and uma inyuka abakhohlwe ithina sizoyibamba eCrossini.”
