The KZN MEC of Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma will enaging with the e-hailing indusry to discuss their issues and concerns.
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The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma will be meeting with the e-hailing industry to offer clarity on issues around operating licenses and ensure stability and compliance with laws.
This is according to a statement from the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements.
The department has received numerous inquiries about developments in the e-hailing industry, especially from Uber and Bolt drivers, who are primarily young people.
Duma said that there is confusion about applications for permits as well as concerns about the impounding of vehicles of e-hailing drivers.
"I have tasked a dedicated team from Provincial Regulatory Entity led by the Head of Department, Siboniso Mbhele, to engage with stakeholders. We want to do everything in the interest of everyone while ensuring compliance with the law," Duma said.
"This team has already met with KZN E-Hailing Council, Pietermaritzburg E-Hailing Organisation, and Ubumbano."
KZN MEC Siboniso Duma mandates the department to continue to meet with the e-hailing industry to clarify issues around operating licenses and ensure stability and compliance with laws.
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There is a meeting with Bolt to clarify concerns around the operating license and grant letter requirement before an operator card is issued.
The e-hailing leadership was informed that an operator card is issued to vehicles operating for a reward and to vehicles carrying dangerous goods, according to the department.
Section 50 of the National Land Transport Act, Act 5 of 2009 ( NLTA), states that any person who operates for a reward is expected to have a valid operating license before operating such a service.
Duma said: "We observed that some public transport operators have been declaring to be operating for a reward without meeting the requirements of Section 50 of the NLTA. Registering authorities are registering vehicles, but any person who declares to be operating for a reward has to prove that s/he has authority issued by the Provincial Regulatory Entity."
"We must hasten to point out that the e-hailing industry is in the process of being regulated as they now recognise the National Land Transport Amendment Act, Act 23 of 2023. This Act was assented to and signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 11 June 2024, and its regulations were gazetted on 29 November 2024."
The National Department of Transport is finalising the regulations, and then the President will promulgate the date for the implementation of the National Land Amendment Act.
The Act will regulate the e-hailing apps /platform providers and the e-hailing operators.
Duma said that app/platform providers cannot self-regulate, and their demand that their subscribers should be given operator cards is contrary to provisions of section 50 of the NLTA.
The department will issue a memo this week so that the KZN E-hailing Council that will be shared with the app providers.
The MEC said that as the Department of Transport, they are planning to have a strategic session to discuss their readiness for the implementation of the new amended regulations, particularly on e-hailing.
"It is also important to note that the new act gives the minister of transport authority powers to regulate pricing in the e-hailing sector. In this regard, we want to do what is in the interest of e-hailing operators, the taxi industry, and the public at large," Duma said.
"We want drivers to have a decent income, and on the other hand, members of the public must have affordable, safe, and reliable public transport. All of these will improve the quality of life in KZN."
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