How the taxi industry supports communities as a Public Service Provider

 

September marks Public Service Month in South Africa, reminding us of what it means to serve communities and look at the impact government has, especially around issues of service delivery. Public service providers include those working in law enforcement, the military, education, hospitals, waste management, courts, and energy, amongst others.

 

Public transportation also falls under the public service sector. The government offers subsidies to rail and bus organisations, although collectively, these means of transport only service about 30% of the country’s commuters. With less than a third of South Africa’s population owning cars, the large shortfall is picked up by the minibus taxi industry.

 

Offering a service to the community that traditional public transport cannot, these minibus taxis can give the commuters who live far from city centres, off the main routes, the ability to get to their place of employment. Operating before, during, and after peak hours; minibus taxis fill the gap left by bus and rail services.

 

Although not strictly a Public Service Provider, such as the minibus taxi industry does not receive subsidies from the government. However, there is no doubt that minibus taxis play a huge role in community support. Discussions in government to regulate the industry and formalise structures, which could subsidise fares and offer better working conditions for drivers, are underway, but the recommendations have still not materialised.
The informal minibus taxi industry dominates in urban areas and is still the cheapest form of transport, servicing every sector in cities, including shack settlements. Taxi associations are behind community initiatives, such as health programmes, tree planting campaigns, and supporting early childhood development. In rural areas, communities in need have access to mobile libraries, road safety training, and water supply; in drought-stricken areas – through the work of SA Taxi’s corporate social investment arm, the SA Taxi Foundation.

 

A critical pillar of South Africa’s transport sector, the minibus taxi industry is indispensable to the vast communities they serve.