Tuk-tuks around the world are not a rare sight as many countries make use of them as a means of public and tourism transport and South Africa is no different.
Towns within the Stellenbosch Municipality have approved the business initiative as well as the City of Cape Town and the Langeberg Municipality.
But why are these tiny automobiles transporting residents and tourists not seen within the Drakenstein Municipality?
This is a question Paarl Post asked the Drakenstein Municipality, who stated that it does not from part of the municipality’s current Integrated Transport Plan (ITP).
But that the municipality “plans” to incorporate it in the revision of the new ITP.
According to Gerald Esau, Executive Director of Community Services within the Drakenstein Municipality “the use of Tuk-tuks for public transport is regulated in terms of Section 70 of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), which states that ‘Tuk-tuks may be used for public transport services where relevant transport plans allow for this’”.
“Section 70(2) of the NLTA then goes on to prescribe that ‘where a Tuk-tuk is so used the operating licence must stipulate the urban route, road network or area on or within which it must operate, as shown in the relevant integrated transport plan, and a maximum speed of operation.’”
According to Louis Pienaar, executive director of engineering services at Drakenstein Municipality the municipality’s current ITP is valid for the period 2020 to 2025.
“[Drakenstein Municipality] will commence the revision process in 2024 to ensure readiness for the upcoming five-year period (2025–2030).
“The municipality is already in discussions with the provincial regulatory entity regarding this revision and will explore the possibility of accommodating the licensing of Tuk-tuks before the next revision,” Pienaar explained.
Several businesses have approached the Drakenstein Municipality for operational Tuk-tuk licences.
This will not only provide a much needed boost to tourism sector in the Drakenstein area, but also create jobs and further contribute to Drakenstein Municipality’s income.
It was, however, a bitter pill to swallow for the Tuk-tuk applicants as the municipality stated that the use of Tuk-tuks is not permissible, without giving the applicants a reason for their decision.
Paarl Post asked DM why the applicants were not given a reason, but no answer was forthcoming.
