KZN Transport Department brokers peace deal in e-hailing turf war
Deal
The closed meeting was held in Phoenix
Image: Supplied: KZN Department of Transport
FOLLOWING reports of assaults and extortion against e-hailing drivers, the KZN Transport Department (KZN DoT)has successfully negotiated a peace agreement between the Phoenix Taxi Association and KZN E-Hailing Council.
The deal includes designated pick-up points, regular meetings, and joint enforcement to eliminate illegal operators.
Earlier today, the KZN DoT convened a meeting in Phoenix with the KZN E-Hailing Council, the Phoenix Local Taxi Association, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), Phoenix SAPS, the KZN Department of Transport Public Regulatory Entity and Metro Police to deal with the challenges.
KZN MEC for Transport Siboniso Duma said the meeting highlighted all challenges faced by the public transport industry in Phoenix.
“In particular, all parties teased out challenges facing both the taxi industry and e-hailing sector. It is for these reasons the KZN E-Hailing Council and Phoenix Taxi Association agreed to work together despite these challenges.
“Currently, e-hailing platform providers are registering their e-hailing digital apps with the National Public Transport Regulator in compliance with the National Land Amended Transport (Act).
“We have been informed by the national department of transport that they are reviewing applications from around six to 10 companies,” he added.
The deadline for applications is March 10, 2026.
Successful e-hailing platform providers will be issued with certificates, and Public Regulatory Entity will also be informed of these successful providers.
“This will pave the way for drivers or operators in the province to apply for operating licenses. The Provincial Regulatory Entity will ensure compliance upon processing all applications before drivers can be issued with an operating license.
“All parties in today's meeting reached an agreement to work together to ensure long-lasting solutions in order to achieve peace and stability within the public transport sector in the Phoenix area.
“Regular meetings involving the Phoenix Taxi Association and KZN E-Hailing Council will be held. The next meeting will be in the second week of March.
“There will be a designated area where e-hailers will drop off and pick up passengers at the Phoenix Plaza, and traffic enforcement will be undertaken to strengthen the transport system and ensure its safety.
“We will facilitate the rollout of multidisciplinary roadblocks involving the KZN E-Hailing Council, the Phoenix Taxi Association, SAPS, Road Traffic Inspectorate and Metro Police to root out illegal operators. Drivers who do not have an app and taxi operators who do not have permits or e-hailers who are transporting staff will be found,” Duma said.
An e-hailing summit will be held and it will focus on challenges and solutions to ensure stability in the e-hailing sector and public transport system.
Duma said the date and venue would be announced soon.
“The e-hailing summit will focus on harmonising relations and ensuring co-existence between e-hailing drivers and taxi-operators and taxi drivers. We thank Santaco for the role they played in ensuring the success of today’s meeting,” Duma added.