Taxis warn another fuel price hike is adding pressure to their rates
The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) says the latest fuel price increase will add pressure on taxi associations to increase their traffics.
Petrol will increase by 54 cents a liter, while diesel will remain unchanged as of Tuesday midnight.
This is the fourth increase so far this year.
NTA spokesperson, Theo Malele, says while the taxi industry is under renewed pressure, they are mindful of the fact that it the latest fuel hike is due to the increase in international crude oil and a weakened Rand.
"These are internationally controlled innuendos, but however we would also caution our associations to try and take a punch on this one and not increase fares nilly-willy.
Also Read: Sports court to rule Wednesday on landmark Semenya testosterone case
"But it is them that are going to be filling (up) operationally and before making those adjustments they will engage with us. But I do not anticipate that if there is any of that kind it's going to be astronomical, " Malele said.
However, he warns that if the fuel price keeps rising, they will be forced to adjust theirs tariffs.
"But it's mindful to say that all business and mostly all prices are adjusted on an annual base so it's the taxi industry that doesn't do that.
"And yet, it plays such a pivotal role. So, it's basically taken over the responsibility of government, because it's the very taxi operations on the ground that end up subsidising passengers who are government's responsibility."