Statistics SA has found in its latest quarterly survey released on Wednesday, 3rd March that the minibus taxi is arguably the best mode of transport for the majority of South Africans. The survey found that 26.5 % of all workers have in the past been using taxis as their first choice of transport – an equivalent of 3.7-million people. This is just an increase from 26,3% in 2019 that said they preferred using taxis than other modes of public transport.
“We now see a rise in many people using taxis. One thing that has been said and found is that there has been a decrease in the use of public transport modes like buses and trains. Those who use these kinds of public transport, including taxis, have complained about the poor state of infrastructure in all public transport but chose taxis,” said Risenga Maluleke, Stats SA general.
Both the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) and Santaco have welcomed the announcement, arguing that the latest survey is once again proof that taxis get the nod ahead of other modes of transport.
“It shows that many people are choosing the taxis as their number one kind of transport. The is no doubt that we we the ones driving the nation,” said Santaco general secretary in Gauteng Phineas Chabalala.