Pretoria - MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo has welcomed the commencement of mediation between the Gauteng e-hailing Partners Council and their technology companies, Uber and Bolt.
The e-hailing partners, often referred to as “the drivers”, protested earlier this year demanding an end to exploitative fare rate, and improved security for them and their passengers.
They have been calling on their partners to do-away with cheap rides that did not appear to take into consideration the cost of fuel and other costs associated with operating a car including maintenance and passenger liability insurance.
They also called on the government to regulate the industry so that fares charged by the technology partners did not leave drivers exploited.
The drivers said the low costs were also causing tension between e-hailing operations and other public transport stakeholders such as the traditional taxi and metered-taxi operators. Subsequently, they sought the support of the South African National Council (Santaco) to put the technology companies under-pressure to implement.
The mediation process began yesterday and will conclude today and followed a series of engagements between the department and affected parties to find sustainable and amicable solutions to their challenges. These range from pricing, security, fare structuring as well as downgrading of vehicles, among others.
Mamabolo said the department recognised the important role played by the e-hailing industry in the transport sector and called on parties to give the mediation process a chance.
“We applaud all parties for agreeing to participate in this process.
“We look forward to a fruitful mediation process where all parties will co-operate to ensure successful resolution to all issues. The department values the Gauteng e-Hailing Partners Council as an important stakeholder in the industry and encourages all public transport stakeholders and partners to work with them.
“We need to continue instilling a culture of negotiations in the public transport sector and spare the public incidences of violence and disruptions.
“These discussions are crucial to our smart mobility vision of integrating all modes of public transport to provide an efficient, safe, reliable and sustainable transport system in the province,” Mamabolo said.
The MEC added the department’s mission of creating a seamless, integrated transport system required that there be peace and stability.
“Successful integration of all public transport systems requires us to work together to find innovative ways to resolve issues and minimise violence in the sector. It is through negotiations that we can achieve that, and we are hopeful the mediation process will be successful.”
The e-Hailing council will give feedback on the engagements once they are concluded.
Pretoria News