The KwaZulu-Natal E-Hailing Council and the Phoenix Taxi Association have agreed to work together following an attack on an e-hailing driver on Saturday.
The provincial transport department called an emergency meeting in Phoenix, north of Durban, to defuse tensions between e-hailing and taxi operators in the area.
The provincial transportation department brought together representatives of the two modes of transportation to defuse tensions. This comes after Sphelele Gumede, an e-hailing driver, was allegedly attacked and his car held for ransom after dropping a passenger at Phoenix Plaza.
In a meeting held behind closed doors, taxi operators put forward their grievances against e-hailing operators who are encroaching on their territory. They agreed to hold regular meetings from March to find ways to ensure lasting peace in the local public transport industry.
Sithembiso Khanyezi, general secretary of the KZN e-Hailing Council, says they want peaceful co-existence and that police take action when drivers are attacked.
Khanyeji explains, “The formula we are trying to establish here or in our meeting is to ensure that there is no other attack on e-hailing drivers, no other intimidating action will be taken on e-hailing drivers. So, the decision that has been taken here gives an understanding that anyone can work using the APP, outside of which the association will move forward.”
Both parties have agreed to use designated pick up and drop off points away from taxi ranks for e-hailing operators.
Ravi Venkatsamy of the Phoenix Association says he does not condone the attack on the e-hailing driver at the Phoenix Plaza.
However, he stressed that his issue is with individuals operating e-hailing apps because they are stealing their passengers and hurting their businesses.
“Phoenix is a very big township. We did not go out on the road even for a day and shut down the e-hailing services on the road and said that they are not allowed to pick up goods from door to door. So, only where our rank is, we use our security and personnel to protect what is left of us,” says Venkatsamy.
Clashes between e-hailing and taxi operators have been a frequent occurrence in the province for some time now, with such incidents recorded in several areas including KwaMashu, Inanda and Chesterville.
Tensions arise from intense competition and lack of regulation in the e-hailing industry.
To better regulate this sector, e-hailing companies are required to register under the National Land Transport Amendment Act.
The e-hailing platform will have to secure its registration with the national regulator by next month.
Ndabezinhle Sibiya, spokesperson for the provincial transport department, says they are optimistic that the situation among e-hailing and taxi operators will improve.
“It was agreed that traffic enforcement and order would be strengthened. Both bodies would be part of the rules,” Sibiya says.
The provincial government plans to hold an e-hailing summit later this year to address challenges in the sector.