Role of metered taxis in the integrated and sustainable public transportation system in Durban

Abstract

Since the advent of democracy in 1994, the taxi industry transformation concentrated mainly on the minibus taxi type services such that not much focus was given to the metered taxi industry. The metered taxi industry is also a very important mode of public transport in the context of South Africa’s vision of modal integration and integrated, seamless public passenger transport services. Drawing from the research project undertaken, this paper presents the findings of the study of metered taxis in Ethekwini Municipality (Durban). Using interviews with key informants as well as secondary data sources, the study investigated issues relating to the status quo of the metered taxi industry in Durban, highlighting existing issues and concerns of all role players and review existing policies and strategies for the metered taxi industry. The main motivation of this research was to contribute to finding solutions that can assist the metered taxi industry to succeed and grow in Durban and hopefully, as metered taxi industry have done in other countries, contributing to the hospitality and tourism industries that will lead to economic growth in Durban and the country as a whole