Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi and Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane must urgently intervene in the war that is being waged on Uber drivers by metered taxi operators before there are any fatalities.
It has been reported that metered taxi operators have been circulating a memorandum which encourages operators to go out of their way to prevent Uber drivers from conducting their business.
The provincial government must intervene as a matter of urgency, not only to protect Uber drivers from harm, but if it is serious about job creation – it must not allow metered taxi operators to take food out of the mouths of hard working Uber drivers.
This thuggish behaviour cannot be tolerated. Strong action must be taken against metered taxi operators who intimidate, threaten and attack Uber drivers.
The metered taxi industry has for a long time held a monopoly on the private taxi industry, and now that it faces innovative competition, it is resorting to violent measures to remain the sole operator in the market.
In any market, businesses have to innovate to remain relevant.
The metered taxi industry should look to Uber to find ways in which it too can innovate and change its business model to attract new customers while ensuring the safety of passengers.
Both MEC’s must meet with representatives from Uber and the metered taxi association to find a sustainable solution to this ongoing problem.
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Fred Nel MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport
083 263 2427
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073 601 6144
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