{
  "id": 12578590,
  "title": "SANTACO to ponder possible taxi fare increase after fuel hike",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/santaco-to-ponder-possible-taxi-fare-increase-after-fuel-hike",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/capeargus/news/2026-10-07-santaco-to-ponder-possible-taxi-fare-increase-after-fuel-hike/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nSANTACO 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.\n\nPhala 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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "summary": "SANTACO says it will consult taxi operators, fuel suppliers and government before deciding whether fares should increase after petrol prices rose above R30 a litre inland..",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "SANTACO says no decision has been taken on possible taxi fare increase after fuel hike",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/santaco-says-no-decision-has-been-taken-on-possible-taxi-fare",
        "published": "2026-10-07T06:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}