Competition Commission tackles taxi violence in Gauteng

The Competition Commission of South Africa is currently embarking on a mission to address the ongoing conflicts in the transport industry in Gauteng. This initiative comes after receiving numerous complaints from various stakeholders highlighting issues such as unfair competition and escalating violence. The commission is hosting public hearings in Johannesburg and Pretoria this week as part of the land-based public passenger transport market inquiry. One of the core aims of the inquiry is to assess the state of competition within the transport sector and identify factors that may be hindering fair competition. The Commission is specifically looking into how prices are determined, route allocations, price regulations, governance of different transport modes, and the overall efficiency of the public transport system. These factors play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of competition within the industry. While the Commission has raised concerns about certain features in the land-based public transport sector that could potentially limit competition, Union's Centaco holds a contrasting view. Centaco argues that unfair competition is prevalent in the sector, with incidents of violence, lack of government consultation, and challenges related to Integrated Transport Plans (ITPs) being prominent issues. The lack of coordination between government initiatives and industry stakeholders has further exacerbated the situation. Recently, workers in the transport sector engaged in a month-long strike that led to significant financial losses for bus companies and disruptions for commuters. The recommendations put forth by Centaco aim to address these challenges by advocating for upgrades to electronic systems, simplification of application procedures for large fleet operators, and a staggered approach to the expiration of operating licenses for large operators to prevent simultaneous renewals. The focus of the inquiry extends to critical aspects such as price-setting mechanisms, route allocations, subsidies, transport planning, and transformation within the transport sector. By delving into these areas, the Commission hopes to identify viable solutions to enhance competition and address the underlying issues contributing to the conflicts in the industry. The public hearings in Gauteng are set to continue until Friday, providing a platform for stakeholders to express their concerns, insights, and recommendations. The insights gathered from these hearings will play a crucial role in shaping the Commission's approach towards fostering a more competitive and sustainable transport industry in the region. As the inquiry unfolds, stakeholders eagerly await the outcomes and potential interventions that could address the root causes of taxi violence and promote a more cohesive and efficient transport ecosystem in Gauteng.