Santaco consults on ways to cushion impact of rising fuel costs

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has announced plans to consult with taxi, fuel, and government sectors in response to recent fuel price hikes and ongoing uncertainty surrounding fuel costs. The council's spokesperson, Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala, announced this during a National Office Bearers meeting in Kempton Park on Tuesday. The aim of these consultations is to explore measures that can help cushion the financial impact on taxi operators, industry employees, and commuters.

Santaco intends to engage its industry members to evaluate the effects of rising fuel prices. Additionally, they plan to consult with fuel suppliers and business partners to identify potential solutions that could be achieved through the collective buying power of the industry. Moreover, the council aims to engage with the national Department of Transport and other relevant government stakeholders to explore options for mitigating the impact of fuel price increases using the industry's collective purchasing power.

Phala pointed out that any decision on fare adjustments will be carefully considered to ensure it doesn't adversely affect commuters. The council believes that all possible options should be explored before reaching a decision. Their objective is to find a sustainable solution that takes into account the interests and financial realities of taxi operators, employees within the industry, and commuters, especially during a period of significant economic pressure experienced by various sectors of society.

Phala reiterated that Santaco has not yet decided to increase taxi fares. She appealed to the public and commuters to remain calm and refrain from acting on any speculation regarding potential fare increases. The council stated that they will continue consultations and will present their position to the national executive committee on Wednesday, 7 October.