DISGRUNTLED E-HAILING DRIVERS WANT PROPER REGULATION BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT

Disgruntled Tshwane E-hailing Services members marched to the Department of Roads and Transport in Tshwane on Monday to deliver their grievances via a memorandum regarding the unsatisfactory conditions under which they are working.

According to Tshwane E-hailing Services Deputy Chairperson Lesiba Manaka, E-hailers no longer make enough money to feed their families.

“We want to tell the national Department of Transport that we are not happy about what is happening,” he said.

“Tshwane E-hailing Services seeks urgent intervention regarding the growing challenges confronting E-hailing drivers, vehicle owners and operators within Tshwane and surrounding areas,” read the opening part of the memorandum.

The memorandum further states that the Tshwane E- hailing Services is concerned about the current fare structure which is applied by E-hailing platforms like Bolt ZA, inDrive and Uber, because the said fares are very low and making it impossible for them as drivers to make ends meet from their earnings.

“For example, a trip carrying three passengers for approximately R18 raises serious questions,” he lamented.

Another grievance raised by the Tshwane E- hailing Services is the refusal by Bolt ZA to provide the necessary documentation to vehicle owners who have been operating on its platform for several years now.

Tshwane E-hailing Services bemoans lack of transparency and meaningful consultation by E-hailing platforms on several issues including that of applying the amount of fares that must be paid by customers.

The memorandum makes it clear that the Tshwane E- hailing Services doesn’t seek confrontation with the traditional taxi industry but requests that the Department of Road and Transport must support constructive engagement between the taxi and E-hailing industries with the objective of promoting fair competition, mutual respect, passenger safety and a properly regulated public transport environment.

“We recognise the importance of operating licenses, safe, standards, passenger protection and accountability, however, regulatory compliance must be practically achievable and operators must be able to access the documentation and administrative support reasonably required to meet their obligations,” read the statement in conclusion.

The Department’s Chief Director of Public Transport Moeketsi Sikhudo received and signed the memorandum delivered to his department by members of the Tshwane E- hailing Services.

Attached is a copy of memorandum.