The exorbitant petrol prices have forced the Cape Organisation of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) taxi drivers and owners to hike their prices for local and long distances.
From yesterday (15 June) local commuters have had to add R3 to the previous R15 price for travelling to Site C Kuwait Taxi rank. If one travels to the Eastern Cape from today (16 June), a return of R1 050 will be paid, while on Friday a return will cost R1 000.
A single will cost R800 or more depending on one’s destination.
Andile Khanyi, Codeta spokesperson, told City Vision the association had no option, after not increasing its prices since 2019.
“It has been three years without any price increase on our side,” he said. “As taxi operators we use a lot of fuel and we can now feel that the load on our shoulders is too much.”
Khanyi said they were bearing the brunt of petrol hike especial as the industry that was not being subsidised by government.
“We are not like everyone else because our business demands us to be on the road every day,” he said. “We have tried to engage commuters through local radio stations to make them understand where we are coming from in this.”
Ncediswa Ngobeni of eNkanini said she sells fish at Site C taxi rank, and this meant she would have to spend R30 on taxi return.
“We are really under siege because we end up not knowing what we are doing,” the mother of three said. “With me, fish oil and spices I have to use are very expensive, and now this. It is too much and I don’t know how we are going to survive. You don’t even see profit, but you just can’t sit around and do nothing.”
Another commuter, Kagiso Sephula (25) from Town Two, said she was just grateful she can buy food for her 17-month-old.
“I am on a learnership, and I make sure every month transport money is sorted,” she said. “If I am able to buy for my child it is fine even if I am left with nothing.”