Taxi protest disrupt the City

By Mishkah Anthony
11 February 2009


Despite warning by the City of Cape Town, sections of the taxi industry may attempt to disrupt commuters’ travel plans over the next three days.

Many people were wounded including vehicles stoned and thousands of commuters left stranded at the start of a three-day taxi strike. Very few taxis are running as operators protest against a proposed Bus Rapid Transport System.

Buses are not allowed into many townships and commuters have to walk long distances to access transport on the outskirts. South African and Metro Police are out in large numbers but they say that the situation is difficult to control as attacks spread from Atlantis to Hout Bay.

Safety and Security MEC Patrick Mckenzie was meeting with taxi bosses and was unable to comment.

Meanwhile Metrorail has made a commitment that all trains will run to schedule today, Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott says, “our staff and service providers are on full alert and we have additional resources at our disposal to ensure that Metrorail customers receive the full service they expect from us.”