The large disgruntled group of taxi drivers took to the streets of the capital in the morning, stopping transit buses belonging to Interstate Bus Lines (IBL) as they were picking up passengers, demanding that the bus operators show them IBL’s permits for each bus stopped. 

IBL spokesperson, Vuyo Ondala, tells OFM News the company will release a media statement as soon as it is safe to continue with services. The OFM News team was in the central business district today where Heidedal taxi driver, Damian Dauds, explained their quarrel is with the traffic department which they allege gives IBL and its drivers preferential treatment by not conducting roadblocks for the buses or checking permits.

“The first problem we have with them is they have no permits to drive on the routes like we as taxi drivers have to have permits and route forms,” explains Dauds. He says they stopped a couple of IBL’s buses and found that only one bus had a permit. It’s alleged IBL’s drivers failed to account for the absence of a permit when probed. Dauds asks what kind of permit enables IBL’s buses to travel from Thaba Nchu/Botshabelo to Bloemfontein’s central business district and then pick up passengers in Bloemfontein’s townships.

When asked about their view on Mangaung Metropolitan’s imminent introduction of rapid transit buses, named Hauweng, in light of their current issue, Dauds said they are in full support of the Metro’s plans but want IBL phased out as soon as possible.

In February 2019, the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality signed a 30-year lease agreement with the Greater Bloemfontein Taxi Association through its entity, the Free State Taxi Association. The long-term lease was described as a first in the country by members of the taxi industry and a municipality. Municipal Manager, Tankiso Mea, said that the facility answers the very urgent call for socio-economic transformation. It was revealed the taxi industry was on board with the metro regarding the introduction of the Hauweng Bus Line as a part of the metro’s Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN).

Construction for this network, on the other hand, has been marred by protests from unhappy local contractors. In June, Foko Motlatsi Phillimon (FMP) Contractors dragged Mangaung Metro to court over its and other local businesses' alleged exclusion from the metro’s IPTN Hauweng project.

OFM News