Cape Town - Metered taxi operators say a new transport bill to regulate Uber will not stop the electronic hailing service’s drivers from operating illegally.
Two cab company owners have slammed local Uber drivers for operating illegally and said they were concerned the service’s drivers would continue “stealing bread from our tables”.
The accusation comes just days after the cabinet approved the National Land Transport Amendment Bill, which means drivers who use Uber as a technology partner now require taxi operating licences.
The bill will provide guidance in e-hailing transport services and clarity about regulations for the issuing of public transport operating licences.
CabCo metered taxi company owner Riaan Lukan said the Cape had recently been flooded with metered taxis. This had saturated the industry, making it difficult for drivers to find work.
“In the last few years we had just over 1000 Uber cabs, but in the last two years we’ve seen more than 4000 come on to the streets. Most days we see these cabs just parking around, and we are now seeing Uber drivers pretending to be metered taxis. They are stealing the bread off our tables,” said Lukan.
Sport Taxis owner Ayub Baker said Uber drivers were realising that the electronic hailing service was not sustainable.
“What is happening is that the Uber drivers are beginning to realise that working for Uber will not bring in enough money to make a living. This is why they are pirating,” Baker said.
PRO-CHOICE
Uber spokeswoman Samantha Allenberg did not deny the electronic hailing service’s drivers were operating illegally. Instead, she said, Uber was willing to help metered taxi drivers make more money.
“Our technology is open and pro-choice and we are keen to offer it to a broad number of taxi drivers to boost their occupancy rates and chances for profit. In fact, many taxi drivers are already using our technology to boost their incomes and we would welcome more.”
She said Uber had been working with transport regulators to accommodate new technologies that could help solve the “current problems” with urban transportation.
Mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron said: “The new regulation is what we have been calling for all along, so it basically confirms that the position we took was the right position. Our law officials will ensure that the legislation is adhered to.”
Cape Times