Taxi commuters say they are still finding it difficult to source alternatives as the strike by the Long Distance Taxi Association continues in KwaZulu-Natal.

Some people have been sleeping at the Durban taxi rank waiting for things to change. Members of the association claim that the Department is not issuing them with permits.

These commuters are appealing for all stakeholders to come together to resolve their challenges as soon as possible. They were among the passengers who have been left stranded at the rank.

“I have come from Ndwendwe en-route to Empangeni and I was trying my luck. But I can see that taxis are still on strike. There are no taxis here and there are even very few passengers from different areas. This strike affects us a lot and it is important for us to go back to our homesteads but we cannot do that if there are no taxis.”

“When I realised that taxis are not operating, I decided to come here and take the bus to Harrismith. It is difficult because we do this without proper planning.”

“I had doctor’s appointment yesterday but I failed to honour it due to the strike. I have decided to take a bus as an alternative because this strike affects us.”

Mcabangeni Nala from the Long Distance Taxi Association says they are aware of recent announcements by the Department that their permits are ready for collection.

“We cannot say much about those permits because we haven’t collected them. But the Department says they are ready for collection. But the route to Kranskop is not included, therefore we cannot collect them. Why did they cancel this route as it has been operating for years? We want all the routes to be included in the permits.”

KZN Tax Strike | Commuters left stranded