Proposal to include teeny taxis could plug 'last mile home' gap in transport system.
|||Tuk-Tuks could become a permanent public transport fixture in some Cape Town suburbs since the city’s mayoral committee intends proposing an amendment to the current Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP) to incorporate provisions for a tuk-tuk service.
Brett Herron, transport, roads and stormwater mayco member, said if the recommendation is approved, the current CITP will be amended immediately and transport planning officials would be able to consider applications and provide comment to the Provincial Regulating Entity.
Mayco intends tabling the amendment at a full council sitting tomorrow. Many operators have lodged applications for licences already. They will be handled individually by the city.
“I’m mostly nervous about getting my hands on the licences themselves,” said Daniel Clarence, of Monarch Tuksi Company, which hopes to have 20 tuk-tuks on the road.
The city was not amused when Monarch had tried to find a legal loophole to get around licencing red tape: customers would sign up as “shareholders” for R40 instead of paying a direct fare.
Under the ITP, tuk-tuks would have to fall within a regulated model. The city is recommending several interim conditions:
- That the tuk-tuks have support systems and infrastructure.
- Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
- All trips must be booked with the tuk-tuk operator.
- Tuk-tuks will be seen as a base operation: their facilities would be privately owned, with no formal city facilities provided.
The condition most likely to be problematic for operators is that the tuk-tuks are to operate no longer than 3km on a dedicated route.
The city sees tuk-tuks as providing a “last mile home” service currently absent from public transport.
If the CITP is approved tomorrow, tuk-tuks would be allowed to operate at the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Kalk Bay, Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, and the CBD, provided there is no conflict with sedan taxis.
Clarence was certain tuk-tuks would be positively received by Cape Town residents.
“When I get in a taxi, all I’m thinking is ‘get me to my destination’ – the journey is just a means to an ends … Here, the journey to your destination is just as cool.” -Cape Argus