New regulations for taxis and public transport amid Covid-19 lockdown

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The Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula has amended their directives given to taxi drivers and other suppliers of public transport.

This follows a consultation process with the taxi industry and all relevant role-players.

Mbalula says the COVID-19 virus has plunged the country into unchartered waters and he knew from the onset that they would have to regularly review the measures put in place.

He says public transport remains one of the biggest risk areas in spreading the virus.

Thousands of people still need to make use of public transport in spite of the nationwide lockdown to either get essential goods or go to work (if rendering an essential service).

For the duration of the lockdown period the following rules and measures must be adhered to:

Public transport vehicles must reduce the number of maximum passengers to 70% of the licensed capacity with no masks required.

• A minibus licensed to carry 10 people, is limited to carry a maximum of seven.
• A minibus licensed to carry 15 passengers, is limited to carry the maximum of 10 passengers.
• A midi-bus permitted to carry a maximum of 22 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 15.
• A vehicle licensed to carry a maximum of 4 passengers is limited to carrying 50% of its permissible passenger-carrying capacity.

All vehicles need to be sanitized and social distancing must be adhered to at all times.

Mbalula initially said that taxis could operate on 100% capacity if everyone wears masks, however,  just hours after the announcement the Minister rescinded this direction.

He said this was due to a public outcry about the impact of such an arrangement to the health and safety of transport users.

New Ministerial Directions to this effect will be published in due course for immediate implementation.