THE huge petrol price increase expected at the end of the month is going to make life much harder for all South Africans.
And nobody will feel it worse than commuters. The taxi industry may even be compelled to increase the fares by a huge amount. The Automobile Association predicts that next month a litre of petrol will cost motorists up to R1,97 more. Diesel is expected to go up by up to R1,62 while a litre of paraffin is expected to increase by R2,14.
Jerry Mohale of the Bara Meadowlands Taxi Association, told Daily Sun they had met with other associations to discuss price. “And tomorrow we are going to the structure, Utaf (United Taxi Associations Front) to discuss the prices.”
He said they are waiting for the increase and see how they would adjust the price and communicate with commuters. He said the price would go up around July unless government decreased the price of fuel.
“When we increase the taxi fares it becomes difficult for commuters.”
He said that was the only way their business could stay afloat. Commuter Phumzile Masango, who works at salon near Bara Taxi Rank, said: “Increased taxi fares will add to our problems. We also don’t earn much and business is not good. If the taxi prices go up we will suffer because it is the only transport we have.”
Taxi driver Takalane Negogome said the endless petrol hikes were causing tension between drivers and their bosses.
“It is hitting us hard and making it difficult for us to work. We are struggling to have enough money to give to the taxi owners and the money just doesn’t balance anymore,” he said.
“It affects the relationship we have with owners. It is tense because sometimes they think we eat their money.”
