Taxi fares to increase from 1 August
The South Africa National Taxi Council (Santaco) has confirmed that taxi fares for local and long-distance taxi trips will increase from Wednesday.
Increases for local distance taxis will be between R1 and R10, while long-distance fares are expected to increase by between R1 and R20.
"Santaco regrets the impact of these increases on the commuters especially the poor, but unless they are effected, many taxi operators will struggle to stay in business and consequently offer this much-needed service," says spokesperson Thabisho Molelekwa.
Molelekwa attributes the fare hikes to the series of hikes in the fuel price.
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Taxi operators and owners in the different provinces will decide on the specifics of the fare increases.
"The process to increase fares are open. Structures in the provinces and regions will now begin their own processes as to how they will increase the fares in terms of how they normally relate to commuters on the ground. They will inform them timely, giving them probably between a month or so to prepare for the increases," says Molelekwa.
SANTACO confirmed that it will not take part in Tuesday's planned protest action to demand the immediate reduction of fuel costs.
"Instead, SANTACO wishes to meet with the State President Cyril Ramaphosa in order to find alternative ways of managing the pressure on taxis," says Molelekwa.
Government announced that all grades of petrol will increase by one cent per litre on Wednesday, while diesel will be four cents per litre cheaper for August.