During its last sitting of the calendar year on Tuesday, 5 November 2024, Cape Town’s Mini-Bus Taxi Task Team (MBTTT) tabled two new proposals designed to benefit both commuters and the minibus taxi industry.
The MBTTT was established in 2023 following widespread protests by taxi operators within the coastal metro after authorities intensified traffic by-law enforcement which led to a dramatic increase in vehicle impoundments.
The goal of the entity is to create a common channel for taxi drivers and operators to voice their concerns and provide feedback on government initiatives, and vice versa.
The MBTTT thus comprises representatives of the National Taxi Council’s Western Cape branch, the Western Cape Government, and the City of Cape Town.
Two-prong attack
The MBTTT’s proposals include two initiatives that intend to reduce friction between private motorists and minibus taxis within the borders of Cape Town.
The first, which has already been implemented, includes the City’s new Transport Regulations WhatsApp channel which streamlines communication with Cape Town’s public transport industry.
Through this channel, minibus and metered taxi operators can use WhatsApp to confirm their operational status, report route conflicts or invasions, schedule meetings with the branch, and reference frequently asked questions.
Another proposal presented at the meeting comprised plans for strategic public transport priority lanes along the N2 outbound from the Cape Town CBD to Jakes Gerwel Drive.
These lanes will be for exclusive use by public transport vehicles, including Golden Arrow and MyCiTi buses as well as minibus taxis, and should help ease congestion for private commuters.
“This is a joint undertaking between the City and Western Cape Government, and the concept design is scheduled to commence in February 2025,” said Cape Town.
During closing remarks, it was highlighted that the MBTTT has made “noteworthy achievements through working together and that the forum would benefit from more frequent sittings going forward,” it said.
An overview of the number of operating licences granted to date indicated that systems introduced by the MBTTT were “functioning well” and the entity committed to conducting further route research for greater insights into transport demand, the findings of which will be tabled in 2025.
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