Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela yesterday,18 April 2023, met with the Gauteng Taxi Industry representatives in the City of Tshwane as part of continued efforts to continuously engage with key sector stakeholders.

The Gauteng Taxi Industry comprises of leadership and representatives from both provincial structures of the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance (GNTA) and South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).

MEC Diale-Tlabela outlined the Department's plans for the Taxi Industry in line with the strategic elevated priorities of the province as pronounced by Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

These included a progress report on Taxi Violence Commission Recommendations and implementation, the model for the Taxi Rank of the Future, as well as progress Report on the Gauteng Taxi Industry Investment Fund amongst others.

MEC reiterated the Department's commitment of bringing change and accelerating service delivery by providing an integrated public transport system, which is safe, affordable, and mordernised to cater for transport needs of future commuters.

Speaking at the engagement, MEC Diale-Tlabela emphasised that the taxi industry should transform by allowing for more women to participate in growing the industry.

“The department will continue to work together with the taxi industry to establish a structural engagement that will play a critical role in pushing the women agenda and making sure that more women participate and grow the industry as the catalyst of the township economy,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.

Moreover, the MEC added that the recommendations made by the Gauteng Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence need to be tracked to ensure implementation.

The MEC further called on the industry to prioritise road safety by working with law enforcement officials and the Department to save lives on the roads.