Commuters boycott taxis amid contract driver ban

MALMESBURY commuters have called for a boycott of local minibus taxis after the Malmesbury Taxi Association (MTA) disrupted contract transport services that many residents rely on.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

This comes after a notice circulated by the MTA declared that all contract taxi arrangements would expire at the end of April, effectively halting operations for drivers who transport residents under fixed monthly agreements.

“No taxis will be allowed to drive any contract people,” the notice read.

But commuters say the move unfairly penalises them financially and logistically.

“This is going to impact our pockets the most,” said one commuter, who asked not to be named.

“We pay the contract vehicles once a month and don't have to worry for the rest of the month. With taxis, we must always have cash. We pay between R500 and R800 with the contracts — it’s about double that with taxis.”

She added: “Taxis don’t even drop us in front of our homes, just at the corners. We still have to walk the rest of the way. There has been a call to boycott the taxis because of this.”