A THOUSAND Eastern Cape taxis have already met their end in the jaws of a giant “crusher” since the taxi recapitalisation project was launched in December.
As part of the project, the provincial Department of Roads and Transport gives taxi drivers R50000 for each taxi they hand over to the government scrapping site in Zwelitsha to be destroyed.
A total of 850 taxi operators have already received the R50000 incentive.
This figure translates to well over R40 million paid out to taxi operators.
“As we speak, 172 taxis are awaiting de-registration, which will be followed by payment. Another group of 46 operators is waiting for payment today,” said Transport spokesperson Ncedo Kumbaca.
Kumbaca said the department was “highly impressed” by the overwhelming enthusiasm displayed by the taxi industry in this province.
“We would like to commend those who have responded positively to the government’s call for the recapitalisation of the ageing taxi fleet in this country and our province.
“We are determined to accelerate this scrapping process due to the number of operators, who have showed interest,” he said.