*Caption: Taxis parked outside The Market taxi rank in Durban

Written by: Siphiwe Gabayi

Minibus taxi commuters will have to dig deep as taxi fares are set to increase at the beginning of August.

According to Greater North Transport (GNT) Secretary Themba Kubheka, the taxi fare will be increase by one rand as of next week.

“As the association we agreed in 2012 that the taxi fare will be increased annually at the end of July,” Kubheka said.

Inanda resident, Khonzisiwe Mthanti said the taxi associations always fail to communicate with us about the fare increase.

“We are already struggling as it is with everything so expensive and now I have to pay R16 just to get to town,” Mthanti said.

Kubheka added, that when they take decisions as the association they liaise with National Public Transport Passenger Association (NTPA).

NTPA is a non-profit organisation that protects the rights of taxi commuters.

Kubheka said the reason for the annual increase is prompted by the constant costs they face in the taxi industry.

“With petrol price constantly increasing in order for the taxi business to continue we have to impose fare increases,” Kubheka added.

Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, Nothando Thabethe said the taxi fare increases are inevitable with the strikes that happen annually with taxis it is only fair that they increase.

“During the strike they lose a lot of money with their taxis being impounded, yes it affects us negatively but the cost of living is already going up,” Thabethe said.

Kubheka said he does not foresee any strikes in the future, they have not heard any concerns from the taxi drivers.

“Unless the commuters themselves wish to strike against the annual increase, from our side it is still calm waters,” Kubheka.