Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has unveiled a sweeping new strategy aimed at transforming South Africa’s public transport sector, with a special focus on the taxi industry, which remains the dominant mode of commuter travel in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Southern African Transport Conference (SATC) in Pretoria on Monday, Creecy outlined the government’s six-point strategy to modernize transport infrastructure, encompassing rail, air, maritime, and—most significantly, taxis, which move an estimated 85% of South Africa’s daily commuters.
Tackling Taxi Industry Reform
Creecy emphasized that formalising the taxi industry is central to broader transport reform goals. She acknowledged the sector’s vital role but stressed that addressing its unregulated and, at times, criminal elements is non-negotiable for progress.
“Formalisation and the elimination of unlawful operations within the taxi sector are crucial. We are committed to ensuring that the industry functions within a framework of self-regulation and responsible governance,” said Creecy.
She added that existing taxi associations must play an active role in cleaning up the industry, acting as custodians of accountability and transparency.
De-Risking Finance, Strengthening Oversight
In a bid to stabilise the sector, the Department of Transport is working with financial institutions and vehicle manufacturers to make vehicle financing more accessible and less risky. This initiative aims to help taxi owners upgrade their fleets with roadworthy and safer vehicles.
A new Standard Operating Procedure for issuing operating licences is also being developed, designed to standardise processes across provincial departments. This effort is expected to streamline licensing procedures and enhance regulatory consistency nationwide.
“Vehicle licence durations must match the repayment terms of financed vehicles. This alignment is essential to financial sustainability in the sector,” Creecy explained.
Reducing Road Fatalities Through Collaboration
Creecy highlighted that South Africa has seen a consistent 9% annual drop in road accidents and fatalities. She said that this trend can be improved further if all transport sectors work in unison.
With 44% of road fatalities involving pedestrians, she also called for increased public education and awareness campaigns in high-risk communities near major routes.
Existing Enforcement Efforts Face Resistance
While the national strategy is still being rolled out, local governments have already begun cracking down on illegal and unroadworthy vehicles. In Cape Town, an intense enforcement campaign in July 2023 resulted in the impounding of over 330 vehicles, drawing sharp criticism from the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).
Santaco accused city officials of disproportionately targeting taxi operators and warned of potential economic fallout for drivers and owners.
Cape Town transport official Nqavashe pushed back, stating, “The law is the law. Arguments that enforcement should focus only on ‘real criminals’ overlook the very real dangers posed by unroadworthy vehicles on public roads.”
Johannesburg has similarly ramped up roadside checks, with the city’s Metro Police impounding numerous vehicles found with serious defects.
Transport Minister: Creecy Pushes for Safer, Regulated Transit Future
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s strategic vision marks a bold step toward reforming South Africa’s public transport system, with the taxi industry placed firmly at the center of that transformation. Her call for formalisation, self-regulation, and cooperation between government, financial institutions, and vehicle manufacturers shows a strong commitment to stabilising and professionalising the sector.
The government’s latest strategy signals a turning point for public transit in South Africa, particularly for the informal yet indispensable taxi industry. With proper implementation, these reforms aim to professionalise the sector, improve commuter safety, and reduce road fatalities, all while fostering economic stability among transport operators.
Whether the taxi industry embraces these changes or resists them remains to be seen, but the message from the minister was clear: change is coming, and it’s long overdue.
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