The Provincial Government says national government should be footing the bill for the Blue Dot taxi project.

The partnership between the Western Cape government and the mini-bus taxi fraternity was launched last year with the aim of rewarding good service delivery in a bid to turn around instances of illegal operations and conflict.

The project however comes to an end at the end of November.

The Western Cape Cabinet endorsed the pilot project in September 2020 and it went live on 15 May 2021, with the participation of approximately 800 minibus taxis distributed across the regions of the Western Cape.

8 regional companies were established, representing all 8 regions of the province and these companies joined Umanyano Travel Services, the provincial company established by SANTACO Western Cape during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mobility MEC Daylin Mitchell says the results of the project have been extremely positive, but the provincial government can no longer foot the bill alone.

“Funding this programme is the mandate of the national department. Where rail has almost collapsed in South Africa this programme shows how we can make a rapid intervention to improve the public transport industry – this pilot project shows how you can change the game.

The Blue Dot Taxi pilot project will officially terminate on 30 November 2022, and I will be engaging national government to support us in rolling this programme out beyond the province’s pilot.

The continuation of Blue Dot remains my top ministerial priority. I call on the national government, business and other stakeholders to join us as we seek to strengthen, grow and empower the minibus taxi industry so as to provide safer public transport.”

The Blue Dot passenger survey revealed that:

• 82% of commuters reported feeling safer when travelling with a Blue Dot Taxi.
• 78% agreed that a Blue Dot Taxi is a better taxi.
• 88% agreed that the Western Cape needs more Blue Dot Taxis.

The South African National Taxi Council says it’s aggrieved by the Western Cape government’s inability to continue and expand the Blue Dot Taxi Project.

SANTACO’s Mandla Hermanus says the provincial government should find a way to ensure the initiative does not come to an end.