Taxi-Hailing Prices Surge amid SA Drivers’ Protest

Last updated Mar 22, 2022

E-hailing platforms in South Africa, including Uber, UberEats and Bolt, could experience major disruptions to services from Tuesday.

Several roads across Gauteng province are expected to close as drivers call for an end to the unregulated industry.

They say “they’re struggling to survive with poor safety measures, rising petrol costs, unvetted drivers and increased tensions between competitors.”

The apps are active but there are surge charges and significant waiting times for drivers.

Transport Member of the Executive Council, MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, called an emergency meeting on Monday, with the Private Public Transport Association, PPTA, which represents the interests of e-hailing drivers nationally, as he pleaded with drivers not to strike.

Mr. Mamabolo has reportedly warned that the “shutdown could lead to violence and instability in the transport sector.”

But the PPTA has insisted that its three-day shutdown will be peaceful and that operators who choose not to take part will not be punished.

The final day of the ‘strike action’ will be Thursday when all e-hailing apps will be shut down in an attempt to prevent the companies from generating any income.

BBC /Shakirat Sadiq