GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
02 November 2022
The failure of the Western Cape Provincial Government’s Blue Dot Taxi project comes as no surprise. It was simply a gimmick, not based on any discernible policy, strategy or planning document.
When it was announced in 2020, I raised concerns that the R200m project did not comply with government protocols. I questioned the sustainability of the project, and government’s ability to roll it out beyond the pilot phase.
The Provincial Government nonetheless pushed ahead with a bells and whistles project announcement designed to create the false impression that it gives a damn about the taxi industry.
Despite assurances of its commitment to the project, and to improving the quality and safety of minibus taxi services, it didn’t take long for the Western Cape Provincial Government to complete its somersault and announce (without any fanfare) that the project will come to an end this month.
Public Transport is too critical to the functioning of towns and cities to be toyed with by government gimmicks and fakery.
By selecting some taxi associations to be funded by the Blue Dot Taxi Project and excluding others, the provincial government increased the risk of instability in the industry which is the backbone of Cape Town’s public transport network.
The project was implemented in a dishonest and haphazard manner, with some taxi operators who were approved to participate going out to purchase new vehicles only to later be left out of the project.
The DA run government needs to change its mindset when it comes to the mini-bus taxi industry. It views the industry as an informal trade rather than a highly, if not over-regulated transport mode. As a result, responses to challenges in the industry are paternalistic and patronising.
The industry provides more passenger trips in this country than any other mode of public transport. Without a stable and efficient taxi service our country will not function.
The Western Cape Government would do well to learn from its folly and focus on implementing projects that it can sustain, and which have a meaningful impact.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 0825183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za