Driver spat in Ballito

SECURITY: E-HAILERS HAVE TO PAY TAXI ASSOCIATION R600 A WEEK Body wants to restrict number of Ubers, Bolts to 25.

The Dolphin Coast Taxi Association is demanding “protection money” from local Uber and Bolt operators which they claim will be used for the mutal benefit of both services.

Taxi bosses and Uber and Bolt operators are in dispute a over transport service rights.

The drivers say they have little choice but to cough up the weekly fee of R600 to continue operating in Ballito.

The association is determined to restrict the number of e-hailing services operating locally.

More than 100 e-hailing drivers are reportedly active in Ballito. The association is adamant this should be reduced to 25.

Taxi association spokesperson Siyabonga Ntombela said many e-hailing drivers operate illegally.

“They are supposed to operate only based on app requests but in Ballito, we find them parked at malls and approaching people to offer rides home, which we simply cannot allow,” said Ntombela.

“We are the legal route operators in this area and no-one else is allowed to open a rank or load passengers. Using taxis for staff transportation is also a safer option because passengers are protected by passenger liability cover.”

Another bone of contention is the influx of e-hailing drivers from outside the Dolphin Coast.

Ntombela said research conducted by the association found only 25 Uber and Bolt drivers are local and own their cars.

“The rest are from areas outside the Dolphin Coast, some as far away as Maritzburg.

“It cannot be a free-for-all, because in other areas there is control.

“We have been quiet for too long and they have taken advantage of this.”

The association is finalising a list of local drivers it feels could be permitted to work in Ballito and is negotiating with a security company to provide protection.

Ntombela confirmed e-hailing drivers will have to pay the taxi association a weekly fee of R600 for the security company.

“This might come across as extortion, but it is not. The fees will not even cover the security bill.

“As an association, we will contribute and handle the balance.

“These guards will not only protect the Uber and Bolt drivers but also monitor the behaviour of

taxi drivers in Ballito.”

He added that apart from drivers of patrol vehicles, no guards will be armed.

Bolt Africa public relations manager Sandra Buyole said they were aware of the harassment of their drivers in Ballito and condemned any form of intimidation.

“Everyone has the right to earn a living and move around without the risk of harm and coercion,” she said. “Bolt does not compete with minibus taxis. We are an essential component of multimodal public transport, providing an important option for passengers.

“We are committed to working with all stakeholders in the transport industry to find a way for all parties to work alongside each other. All South Africans should have access to effective and safe transport.”

Uber spokesperson Gaopalelwe Laka said they take incidents of intimidation seriously as the safety and well-being of drivers and clients using the Uber platform is a priority.

iLembe Chamber of Commerce chief executive Cobus Oelofse said the chamber was aware of some of the issues raised.

The matters have not been escalated to the provincial Public Transport Forum and he expressed the hope that the issues will be managed at a local level.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the National Land Transport Amendment Bill into law.

According to the Bill, e-hailing drivers must now apply for operating licences, like other modes of public transport.