The Department of Transport has officially gazetted the National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTAA), marking a major milestone in the regulation of e-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt.
Due to this, e-hailing services are now formally recognised as legal forms of public transport in South Africa, bringing them under the same regulatory framework as metered taxis and minibus taxis.For years, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has raised concerns about what it described as unfair competition, arguing that delays in implementing the Act allowed e-hailing vehicles to operate without the same obligations as traditional taxi operators.
The tensions boiled over into violent clashes, with e-hailing vehicles often attacked, and some incidents linked to serious crimes that drew national attention. These conflicts also fuelled ongoing strikes between taxi drivers and e-hailing operators.With the new law in place, the government hopes to stabilise the industry. E-hailing operators will now be required to obtain operating licenses and comply with specific conditions. Their vehicles must be branded to clearly show which company they are affiliated with — such as markings on the side doors displaying “Uber” or “Bolt.”
In addition, cars must be fitted with safety features like panic buttons to enhance passenger protection.Spokesperson of the Department of Transport, Collen Msibi, said the Act introduces a new category of transport service that will operate within defined geographic zones.“The Act ushers in a new service type, the e-hailing service, as an additional choice of transport to the traveling public. It also seeks to affirm and officially recognise the new service type that has been treated as an illegal operation by the other service type operators on the streets,” Msibi explained.
The gazetting of the NLTAA is expected to reduce conflict between e-hailing operators and the taxi industry, while offering commuters more regulated and safer travel options.
Sub-Editor: Thibela Thandeka
