Minibus taxi fares to rise

Minibus taxi commuters should brace themselves for an increase in taxi fares due to the increase in the petrol price. This is according to the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).

Santaco general secretary Philip Taaibosch says: "We are pressed and we can no longer afford petrol prices. We are forced to put our hands in the commuters' pockets." Taaibosch was addressing reporters in Pretoria at a briefing intended to address government's taxi recapitalization plan.

He said fares, which had increased on March 1, would be "intensified" by March 17. Touching on the issue of whether government was to subsidise the industry, Taaibosch said that there had been no discussions between the council and government. He added that he had received a subsidy blueprint from the transport department last week. - Sapa