SANTACO says no decision has been taken on possible taxi fare increase after fuel hike

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has announced it will carefully consider potential taxi fare hikes following recent fuel price increases. The council stated it will consult with industry members, fuel suppliers, and government bodies before deciding, after petrol prices reached R30 per litre on October 7, 2026.

SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala revealed the decision came during a recent National Office Bearers meeting. She explained that SANTACO would discuss the impact of fuel price hikes with industry members while engaging fuel suppliers and partners on potential cost-saving measures through collective purchasing power. She also mentioned the council will communicate with the National Department of Transport and government stakeholders for possible solutions to alleviate the burden of rising fuel costs on the taxi industry and passengers.

Phala emphasized that SANTACO has no immediate plans to announce fare increases, as the council believes all options must be explored before deciding. The organizers recognize that fare adjustments directly affect commuters and are committed to finding a sustainable solution that considers the interests and financial realities of taxi operators, employees, and passengers.

The council aims to finalize its position once a collective decision has been made. In the meantime, SANTACO has appealed to the public and commuters to remain calm and refrain from speculating about possible fare increases. They stressed that no fare hike decision has been announced by SANTACO at this stage.