Commuters are struggling to keep up with the increases.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency(ANA)
RISI
NG fuel costs have forced the Chatsworth Taxi Association to increase fares, impacting commuters, and leading to competition with e-hailing services.
The Chatsworth Taxi Association said it was “forced” to increase fares by R2 due to the fuel price hikes.
It said that commuters struggled to keep up with the increases.
Bashir Ismail, chairperson of the association, said as of Friday, May 8, Chatsworth commuters would have to fork out R28 for a single trip from Chatsworth to Durban, R22 to Mobeni, and R24 to Clairwood.
He said even though the association raised its prices in April by R2, they were not making any profits, and were forced to increase the fares again this month.
A single trip from Chatsworth to Pinetown would now cost R30, while parents would have to pay R13 for a trip for pupils travelling to school in Chatsworth, and R20 per trip from Chatsworth to schools in Durban.
The Chatsworth Taxi Association issued a notice regarding the fare increase
Image: Supplied
Ismail said the taxi industry was severely impacted by the increase in fuel prices.
“We mostly use diesel, which has gone up by nearly R6 per litre. We also need to consider spares and maintenance of the vehicles. When fuel prices go up, everything goes up and has a ripple effect on all of us. If the prices continue to increase, people are not going to be able to afford public transport. In Chatsworth, we have done our very best to keep fares at a minimum for as long as possible, but we cannot sustain ourselves any more,” he added.
Ismail said they were also losing business to the e-hailing sector due to the fare increases.
“We are already in competition with e-hailing services, which have made it difficult to sustain the industry. Last month’s R2 increase, coupled with this month’s R2 increase, has made it difficult for people to cope with travelling costs.
“The e-hailing sector did not increase their fares by much because they mostly use petrol vehicles. This has led to more people choosing e-hailing services and boycotting the use of taxis. But we mitigate this with our trips to Durban and Pinetown, as e-hailing services cost about R150 and more per trip, compared to us who charge R30 and R28,” he added.
He said the challenge was with inner circle operations, even though they had not increased the R17 fare.
He said they were praying that the Middle East war would end and the fuel prices could become affordable.
“People are left with no choice. They have to travel to work, the hospitals, clinics, or to school. It is a difficult time for everyone.
“In Chatsworth, it is normal for people to declare their own prices, claiming they only have R15 or R10 and plead for help.
“We help the pensioners and elderly people, as well as the disabled. We also help some people who genuinely cannot afford it. It is not a good practice given the current economy, but we cannot leave an old lady standing on the roadside while she needs medical help, or a child who is on his/her way to school.
“We have to take them to the hospital or school,” Ismail said.