New legislation for Bolt and Uber sparks industry outrage

Warning: 'The Act risks worsening tensions due to vague, impractical provisions'

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

THE Department of Transport has officially gazetted the National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTA), recognising Uber, Bolt, and other e-hailing platforms as part of South Africa's public transport system. But rather than celebration, the move has sparked backlash, with some in the sector criticising the regulations as shortsighted, reactive, and lacking vision.

The Act, gazetted on September 12, comes after a 13-year wait. First passed by Parliament in 2020, it was sent back by the President over constitutional concerns, revised, and only now signed into law.

Under the new law, all public transport operators, from minibus taxis to metered taxis and e-hailing services, will require operating licenses. The intention, according to the government, is to authorise services, ease longstanding tensions, and strengthen commuter safety.

Transport Department spokesperson Collen Msibi said the NLTA places the entire land transport sector under one framework, bringing long-overdue clarity.

"The amendments introduce clearer rules for all operators, most notably by officially recognising e-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt and simplifying the licensing process. This is expected to improve commuter safety and reduce tensions between operators," he said.