Cabs in SA

http://uk.reuters.com/article/reuter...03267820070820

Alan

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:45:49 +1000, Alan S wrote:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/reuter...03267820070820

Alan

Hi all,

The above link refers to a Reuters article about the minibus taxi wars
that have been running for decades in South Africa.

I would like to clear up a few possible misconceptions.

1) These minibus taxis are NOT the same as taxi cabs. The minibus taxi
industry is predominantly involved in transporting employees into the
cities from the outlying areas. The vast majority of the passengers on
these minibuses are black working class, previously from the
disenfranchised sector of apartheid South Africa. The mafia-type
organisatin that exists in the minibus taxi industry is nothing new.
As I said, it's been around for decades. Being largely unregulated by
the the apartheid state, the industry became a haven for money
laundering, drug peddling, vehicle theft rackets etc.

The minibus taxi usually fooolws a pre-set route, and will pick up
passengers along that route only.

It is still fairly unusual to see tourists using this method of
transport in the major cities. Outside the major cities, it is
extremely unusual.

The minibus taxis tend to be dangerous due to poor maintenance, and
because of ridiculoulsy dangerous drivers. (They have to be seen to be
believed). Corruption of traffic police and testing officials is rife,
and intimmidation of passengers, officials, other rival organisations,
etc. is widespread. They are also commonly overloaded way beyond safe
limits.

2) The other taxi industry is the more conventional "metered cab"
industry. It is quite tightly regilated, and far safer than the minbus
taxi industry. They are far more expensive, and are not permitted to
cruise for fares. They wait at designated taxi ranks, or can be booked
by telephone.

These metered cabs are safer, cleaner, and more reliable (in general)
than the minibus taxis, and are better suited to use by tourists and
visitors.

3) The article mentions the area of Hillbrow. This IS currently a very
dangerous area, and tourists are well advised to stay well away from
Hillbrow unless they are with a well informed guide.

Regards,
Marc

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:29:57 +0200, Marc Lurie
wrote:

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:45:49 +1000, Alan S wrote:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/reuter...03267820070820

Alan

Hi all,

The above link refers to a Reuters article about the minibus taxi wars
that have been running for decades in South Africa.

I would like to clear up a few possible misconceptions.

1) These minibus taxis are NOT the same as taxi cabs. The minibus taxi
industry is predominantly involved in transporting employees into the
cities from the outlying areas. The vast majority of the passengers on
these minibuses are black working class, previously from the
disenfranchised sector of apartheid South Africa. The mafia-type
organisatin that exists in the minibus taxi industry is nothing new.
As I said, it's been around for decades. Being largely unregulated by
the the apartheid state, the industry became a haven for money
laundering, drug peddling, vehicle theft rackets etc.

The minibus taxi usually fooolws a pre-set route, and will pick up
passengers along that route only.

It is still fairly unusual to see tourists using this method of
transport in the major cities. Outside the major cities, it is
extremely unusual.

The minibus taxis tend to be dangerous due to poor maintenance, and
because of ridiculoulsy dangerous drivers. (They have to be seen to be
believed). Corruption of traffic police and testing officials is rife,
and intimmidation of passengers, officials, other rival organisations,
etc. is widespread. They are also commonly overloaded way beyond safe
limits.

2) The other taxi industry is the more conventional "metered cab"
industry. It is quite tightly regilated, and far safer than the minbus
taxi industry. They are far more expensive, and are not permitted to
cruise for fares. They wait at designated taxi ranks, or can be booked
by telephone.

These metered cabs are safer, cleaner, and more reliable (in general)
than the minibus taxis, and are better suited to use by tourists and
visitors.

3) The article mentions the area of Hillbrow. This IS currently a very
dangerous area, and tourists are well advised to stay well away from
Hillbrow unless they are with a well informed guide.

Regards,
Marc

Thanks for the clarification. I saw the article and had an
interest as an ex-cab driver.

Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:10:21 +1000, Alan S wrote:


Thanks for the clarification. I saw the article and had an
interest as an ex-cab driver.

Cheers, Alan, Australia

No worries Alan. I dare say that there is no chance of cabbies
shooting each other over route disputes in Oz! :-)

As a cab driver, I take it you drove a metered cab? The job in SA
would be very similar to that in Aus, except that it would be far
better paid and have shorter hours in Aus.

I had a colleague who started out in the metered cab business, and he
has hundreds of fascinating stories about the fares he's picked up,
and the offers he's been made in lieu of payment etc. ;-)

Marc

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:57:51 +0200, Marc Lurie
wrote:

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:10:21 +1000, Alan S wrote:


Thanks for the clarification. I saw the article and had an
interest as an ex-cab driver.

Cheers, Alan, Australia

No worries Alan. I dare say that there is no chance of cabbies
shooting each other over route disputes in Oz! :-)

As a cab driver, I take it you drove a metered cab? The job in SA
would be very similar to that in Aus, except that it would be far
better paid and have shorter hours in Aus.

Can't comment on the pay, and it sounds like Melbourne was a
lot less dangerous, but my usual working shift was a minimum
of 12 hours; "hungry" shifts were often longer. Retired in
2000, haven't worked since.

I had a colleague who started out in the metered cab business, and he
has hundreds of fascinating stories about the fares he's picked up,
and the offers he's been made in lieu of payment etc. ;-)

I never considered accepting those. Apart from being
boringly monogamous I would have been worried about
receiving more than the fare, like nasty surprises some time
later. So, no matter how hot she was it was cash - or walk.


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest