SA Taxi Uses Telematics to Track Minibus Taxis During Lockdown

SA Taxi, a vertically integrated minibus taxi platform, is using technology to slowly transform the behaviour of drivers and provide commuter safety in the minibus industry.

SA Taxi, which is owned by JSE-listed Transaction Capital, is vertically integrated into the minibus taxi industry.

The company is using its telematics and other data accumulated from its rewards programmes to proactively drive behavioural changes in the minibus taxi industry.

Also read: SA Taxi Wants to Use Tech to Revolutionize Minibus Taxi Industry

As an essential service, the industry operated under national guidelines during the lockdown with only the transportation of essential service workers and other citizens requiring essential travel permitted at certain times.

Sharply lower commuter mobility and restricted minibus taxi operations due to the nationwide lockdown intensified economic strain on the sector.

The gazetted guidelines limit the number of passengers per trip to 70% of normal loads, which further affects minibus taxi profitability negatively during this period.

SA Taxi said it remains committed to the health and safety of minibus taxi operators and commuters, and the recovery and long-term sustainability of the minibus taxi industry.

Together with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA), the division has implemented COVID-19 prevention protocols at minibus taxi ranks across the country, and has committed more than R3 million towards face masks and hand sanitisers for commuters and taxi operators, and disinfecting ranks and vehicles

Also read: Coronavirus: SA Taxi Donates Hand Sanitisers, Facial Masks to Taxi Ranks

SA Taxi said it would expand its tailored rewards programmes within the minibus taxi ecosystem.

Ultimately, the division intends to leverage its telematics and rewards programmes data to connect to South Africa’s 250 000 minibus taxi operators, selling existing (finance and insurance) and new products and services suited to the needs of minibus taxi operator.

Also read: Coronavirus: SA Taxi Gives Clients Payment Relief to Weather Lockdown

SA Taxi today announced that it will implement interim debt repayment assistance measures to help certain of its minibus taxi operators navigate their financial commitments during the 21-day lockdown period.

SA Taxi will assist clients in good financial standing by providing payment relief to minimise the negative economic impact of the Covid-19 national lockdown on their business.

Payment relief for minibus taxi owners will commence on 1 April 2020 and will be available for the full month.

In addition, clients insured through SA Taxi Protect will also receive relief from their monthly insurance premium payments in April but will retain their cover during this period.