A renewed call has gone out to public transport operators to curb the spread of the coronavirus by adhering to the prescribed safety measures.
Kouga Community Services Portfolio Councillor, Daniel Benson, said the enforcement of safety measures in taxis was now more important than ever.
“More sectors have opened for business now that our country has moved to level four of the lockdown,” he said.
“The operating hours for public transport services have also been extended.
“That means more people will be making use of taxis, which increases the risk of the virus spreading, especially if safety measures are not followed.”
He said municipal traffic officers would be working closely with their provincial counterparts to ensure local taxis adhered to the requirements.
He reminded drivers and passengers that it was mandatory for everyone to wear masks when in public, also when in a taxi.
“It is each commuter’s own responsibility to ensure that their noses and mouths are covered.
“If you don’t have a mask, substitutes such as scarfs or bandanas can also be used,” he said.
“We would also like to remind commuters to maintain social distancing when waiting at taxi ranks and pick-up points.”
He further urged transport operators to comply with the limit placed on the number of passengers allowed and to ensure that vehicles were properly sanitised after each trip.
According to the level four regulations, public transport services may operate from 5am until 7pm, with a grace period of one hour in the afternoon to complete their trips and drop off passengers.
This includes minibus-taxis, buses, metered taxis, e-hailing services, charter and shuttle services. The loading capacity for minibus-taxis remains at 70% of licensed passengers.
Loading capacity for metered taxis and e-hailing services remains at 50% while a five-seater vehicle is permitted to carry a maximum of two passengers and a driver.
Buses are allowed to transport 70% of their licensed passenger capacity.
Shuttle and chauffeur services are subject to the same rules but are only permitted for the transportation of people undertaking essential work and those economic sectors allowed to return back to work under level four.
Charter services, used by a number of companies to transport employees working different shifts and outside permitted hours, are also subject to the same rules but are only permitted for transporting people undertaking essential work.
