SANTACO Announces Online Taxi Booking System for Long-Distance Travel

• The South African National Taxi Association(SANTACO) plans to introduce a new system enabling commuters to book online long-distance travel seats
• SANTACO says it aims to have this new taxi online booking system launched by the end of the year
• Taxis are recognised as highly efficient and cost-effective transportation options, particularly for long-distance travel

Trisha Pillay is a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg. She has devoted her professional life to covering social issues and community news for 13 years, sharing her expertise with different newsrooms like the Citizen Newspaper, African News Network, and Newzroom Afrika. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email trisha. pillay@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.

JOHANNESBURG - SANTACO plans to introduce a new online booking system for long-distance trips to enhance convenience for commuters.

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Taxi online bookings

Taxis are recognised as highly efficient and cost-effective transport options, especially for long journeys.

During the Easter long weekend, an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 taxis will operate on the country's busiest routes.

According to SABC, SANTACO's national spokesperson, Rebecca Phala, says:

" We hope to launch this system by the end of the year, bringing a more sophisticated booking experience similar to other transportation industries."

Phala also mentioned that they are currently trialling the system in certain areas of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. In these regions, individuals can purchase cards and load them with points, which enables them to bypass queues at taxi ranks.

Mzansi intrigued

People across the country have several questions regarding the online booking system. While some are impressed, others ask when SANTACO will address the ongoing violence and irresponsible driving by taxi drivers.

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Read the reactions below:

Bongani Mgubela shared:

"When are they going to launch a system where they will stop fighting and putting their clients' lives at risk."

@Anyway Kororo said:

"Right, for the taxi industry to understand the process of requesting Uber and Bolt. If you can't beat the system, join them."

@etsoalo Matlhatsi commented:

"SANTACO wants to complicate things; ques works just fine."

@Theresa Gafoor advised:

"They need to stop intercepting Uber rides at malls. We, as commuters, have a choice as to how we wish to travel. As for the scrap siyaya taxis, they need to be taken off the roads."

@Nqunde Keo explained:

"They need to develop a new system to respect their clients."

@Iggybaks Koikanyang said:

"They must start by teaching their drivers the importance of passengers. Drivers must be vetted before being allowed into their industry."

@Rider Mopalami shared:

"Good idea, but they should workshop their drivers first."

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Cape Town taxi driver with 50 warrants of arrest and fines caught

In a related story, Briefly News reported about a taxi driver from Cape Town who evaded the law after 50 warrants of arrest had been issued against him.

He had an astonishing R374,300 worth of unpaid traffic fines and was arrested on 26 March this year.

South Africans weighed in and believed that the taxi owner must also face the full might of the law.

Source: Briefly News