Taxi operations came to a halt in Alexandra as taxi operators and commuters gathered in large numbers at Alex Sankapano Stadium for a meeting by the taxi industry party, the Alliance Transformation For All (ATA).
This forms part of ATA’s campaign as political parties rally to convince South Africa to cast their vote come May 8.
ATA Provincial Secretary, Emily Thubela says the purpose of the gathering on April 17 was to raise awareness about ATA’s objective and mission for the taxi industry. Thubela pleaded with the audience to vote for ATA so that it has a voice in parliament to raise concerns regarding the transport industry subsidies. “BRT buses and Gautrain are given subsidies by government whilst the taxi industry does not receive any. We want subsidies so that we can reduce taxi fares for our commuters,” she added.
ATA’s Jabulani Ntshangase reverberated Thubela’s concerns, saying that the party is not only for the taxi industry but for all involved, including metered taxi operators and hawkers.
Ntshangase promised voters that the party will transform the industry “we will make sure that security guards are on the road 24/7 to protect our mothers. We will ensure all taxi ranks have security guards that belong to our party,” he said.
Ntshangase says they will be expanding their election campaign to other provinces in the country. – Alex FM (edited by Veronica Makhoali)