Metered taxi and E-hailing drivers in Port Elizabeth are appealing to the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula to relax the transport curfews put in place during the coronavirus lockdown.
Many drivers have raised concerns, saying commuters who are essential workers were left stranded after 9am. Public transport only operates between 5am and 9am in the morning and four and eight in the evening.
In the video below, taxi drivers voice their concerns regarding transport curfews during the 21-day lockdown:
There are also limits on the number of passengers a taxi can carry.
Saying Taxis shouldn’t carry full loads isn’t targeting.
We have cancelled trains, MetroRail and Gautrain – totally. It wasn’t an easy decision. They carry hundreds in one go, a danger.
We did not cancel Taxi operations – we say they should not carry FULL LOADS, simple. https://t.co/rrOxnDLh9q
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) March 27, 2020
TAXI RANKS during the day:
We commend Taxi operators who are complying with Government Regulations.
⚪️ Public Transport ( Taxis ) still allowed to operate, limited and controlled
– Taxis must not be filled to capacity, 50%
These measures are meant to protect people. pic.twitter.com/eWbvEK3WYw
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) March 27, 2020
Cab driver Moegamat Mujahied says the fixed times will be a major blow for the next 21-days.
“Like this morning (Friday), we had a huge problem out in Kobus Road in Gelvandale, where all the workers that had to come and work in the retail shops were left stranded. There were no taxis available and taxi quantums which are 16-seaters had to carry only seven people. It just doesn’t equalize to travel all the distance to the northern areas to town with just seven people from the business perspective it does not work.”
VIDEO: information that public transport can ONLY be used between 5-9 and4-9 is not accurate.
We explained that between those times it’s when we expect high traffic volume for essential work.
Between: transport still allowed, for essential services. Expected is less traffic. https://t.co/VldPHT0gNU pic.twitter.com/pEgEatrgp0
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) March 27, 2020
In the video below, the impact of the national lockdown on public transport:
