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August 2013 and Wheels24 reported that the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) had warned commuters to expect an increase in fares, varying depending on routes and distances of each taxi association across the nation.
Santaco deputy secretary-general Bafana Magagula said that, without government subsidies, the union "had no choice but to call for a rise in taxi fees".
He added: "We've tried to hold the increases back but we cannot hold back any longer."
'20% INCREASE'
Santaco spokesperson Bafana Magagula said: "We are having a petrol increase which is going to affect us in terms of our operation and expenses as from August 8, 2013. However, we request and announce that taxi commuters need now to expect a fares increase of not more than 20% from what they are paying now."
Based on Santaco's Taxi Fare Index, the current average taxi fare in Gauteng is R12 and in the Western Cape R11. Based on its proposed 20% increase, commuters could be looking at an increase to R14.20 in Gauteng and R13.20 at the coast.
Wheels24 reader SIMON LAZARUS shares his thoughts:
"These increases are ridiculous! Prices go up but why don't they get adjusted when the petrol price drops? Since the increase in taxi fare is based on the petrol price, it should be adjusted accordingly.
"The taxi industry should be regulated by the state. As it stands, this industry is unprofessional and it’s using commuters to fight its battles with the state.
"What's worse, they have the nerve to talk about a subsidy!"
Santaco deputy secretary-general Bafana Magagula said that, without government subsidies, the union "had no choice but to call for a rise in taxi fees".
He added: "We've tried to hold the increases back but we cannot hold back any longer."
'20% INCREASE'
Santaco spokesperson Bafana Magagula said: "We are having a petrol increase which is going to affect us in terms of our operation and expenses as from August 8, 2013. However, we request and announce that taxi commuters need now to expect a fares increase of not more than 20% from what they are paying now."
Based on Santaco's Taxi Fare Index, the current average taxi fare in Gauteng is R12 and in the Western Cape R11. Based on its proposed 20% increase, commuters could be looking at an increase to R14.20 in Gauteng and R13.20 at the coast.
Wheels24 reader SIMON LAZARUS shares his thoughts:
"These increases are ridiculous! Prices go up but why don't they get adjusted when the petrol price drops? Since the increase in taxi fare is based on the petrol price, it should be adjusted accordingly.
"The taxi industry should be regulated by the state. As it stands, this industry is unprofessional and it’s using commuters to fight its battles with the state.
"What's worse, they have the nerve to talk about a subsidy!"