Taxi commuters have been warned that taxi fares in the province are expected to increase on Monday 18 May. The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in the Western Cape announced on Thursday 14 May that the increase was due to the fuel price hike earlier this month.
Khayelitsha routes to see R2 fare increase
Santaco Western Cape spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana, who is also a spokesperson for Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta), said fares on all routes travelling from Khayelitsha to destinations outside the area will increase by R2, while local taxi fares within Khayelitsha will remain unchanged.
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“The increase in petrol prices during the first week of May has hit taxi owners hard. We are struggling to pay instalments for our taxis, and this has forced us to increase fares. However, taxis operating within Khayelitsha will remain at R17. Only routes travelling outside the area are affected,” said Tumana.
He added that long-distance taxi fares have also been affected, with prices varying depending on the day of travel.
Long-distance trips to Eastern Cape become more expensive
“A single trip to the Eastern Cape has increased from R1 000 to R1 150. A special trip departing on Thursday was R1 250 and is now R1 400, while a Friday special trip has increased from R1 200 to R1 350,” he said.
Tumana also noted that a single trip from Saldanha to the Eastern Cape has increased from R1 000 to R1 200. A Thursday special trip has risen from R1 350 to R1 500, while Friday fares have gone up from R1 300 to R1 450.
New fares to take effect from 21 May for long-distance routes
He said the new long-distance fares are expected to take effect on Thursday, 21 May.
Tumana further stated that fare increases implemented by Codeta may differ from those of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata).
Attempts to obtain comment from Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi were unsuccessful, as he indicated that he was unable to speak because he was in a meeting.
