Durban — EThekwini Municipality is spending R1.8 million on taxi rank incentives and programmes.
This was revealed by the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) as it tabled its Transport Month activities, which cost R1.8m, during an eThekwini executive committee (exco) meeting on Tuesday.
The ETA said 1 000 minibus taxis would be part of the controversial Moja Cruise programme’s phase 2 launch, on October 14, which would cost ratepayers R450 000. Five hundred vehicles would be added to the 500 in the programme.
These taxis must adhere to certain criteria to offer a clean, safe, efficient, customer-oriented service to the public. The vehicles would be monitored to ensure these criteria are met to qualify for the financial incentive.
The ETA intends to spend R57m over the next two financial years on the programme in addition to the R16.7m spent in 2021/2022.
The eThekwini Metro Taxi Council, the leadership body of the minibus taxi industry, and the city collaborated in October 2017 to develop the programme aimed at improving public transport.
The ETA report stated that due to the overwhelming success of Moja Cruise, the city was ready to launch the second phase of the project.
The report stated that the launch will highlight the benefits of the project to the city, the minibus taxi industry, commuters, motorists and the public as the drivers of the vehicles are highly trained in various aspects that include customer care, basic fire fighting, first aid and defensive driving.
Exco member councillor Yogis Govender said councillors were not provided with an itemised account detailing who the money went to or statistics to back up the notion that the programme was a success. The matter will come before a eThekwini full council on Wednesday.
The DA said there were no receipts or presentations on who got the money.
In June, former DA eThekwini caucus leader Nicole Graham laid it out. She said: “Over the years we discovered none of the tracking mechanisms or mechanisms meant to provide feedback to the system were operating.
“The information was not being used to pay incentives. In my opinion, rather than paying money or incentives for gradual improvement, it has become some sign of co-operation between the taxi associations, where everyone is able to get paid with no tangible outcome.”
Graham said none of the core outcomes of the programmes was delivered.
“Previously, incentives were paid if they had no fines, their vehicles were roadworthy and they had licences.
“Nobody has explained to us what went wrong or right and how we can use it going forward. We were sold a dream that could not be delivered on because it was not managed properly. It has been a scam, in my opinion.”
October is Transport Month in South Africa. The month is used to raise awareness of the important role of transport in the economy. Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is expected to launch Transport Month by opening the infrastructure delivery expo at the ICC in Durban on Wednesday.
Other ETA programmes include taxi rank activations between October 19 and 27 costing R750 000. The programme involves visits to the public transport facilities in the five eThekwini metro taxi council regions.
The report stated that the purpose is to instil and emphasise the importance of road and passenger safety, vehicle roadworthiness and driver health.
A road safety walk, from King Dinizulu Gardens to the Soldiers Way taxi rank, and a prayer on October 4, is estimated to cost R150 000.
Daily News