The first surprise was the cleanliness of the rank. What's more, the driver was patient and responsible behind the steering wheel the entire journey

Screeching tyres, the smell of burning rubber and persistent hooting are daily occurrence in the minibus taxi industry. The common picture is one of commuters on the edge of torn seats, in a state of semi-constant apprehension on what to expect from an unpredictable driver.

After having had a break of about seven years from the ordeal of having to use a minibus taxi, I found myself inside a taxi again at  the beginning of October, expecting the worst.

The trip was from Randburg, Johannesburg, to Brits, starting at the Randburg taxi rank.

The first surprise was the cleanliness of the rank, with a dedicated area for hawkers to ply their trade.

Marshalls controlled access at the main entrance, with a gate for commuters and another for taxis.

“Not that way, the side gate please,” newcomers were advised.

The next step was boarding a taxi — with the crowded seating arrangement of four people in the same seat, still a fresh memory.

But the 13-seater offered something different — only three people in a seat, and no torn seats.

The driver closed the sliding door properly before hopping in with a polite greeting.

Now, for the real trip — at the expected hair-raising speeds that gave minibus taxis the reputation of being coffins of wheels.

A silent prayer as the vehicle moved off, smoothly snaking through the streets of the northern suburb and heading to the R511.

But another surprise. The driver was patient and responsible behind the steering wheel the entire journey, and we arrived safely and stress-free in Brits.

And this was not a one-day wonder. I had to use a minibus taxi for a full month because of repairs to my own car.

The verdict after four weeks was that the attitude of taxi drivers on this route had changed for the better.

SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) spokesman Thabisho Molelekwa attributed this to the council’s 2020 strategy.

“We want to provide a proper service that cares for the commuter,” he said.

The new approach would see rank marshals being trained in customer care and taxi drivers receiving advanced driving training.

“We want to position the industry as a viable business. We want our drivers to know that driving 15 people is a responsibility,” Molelekwa said.

Moves were also under way to centralise taxi drivers’ employment,  by moving the matter from the owner of a minibus taxi to the association.

Rank marshalls would be trained to determine whether a taxi was roadworthy, and would brief drivers about road safety.

Molelekwa said Santaco intended asking the transport department to issue a public driver permit only after drivers obtained a certificate of competency.

“As of now, you need a public permit to be a taxi driver. That only is not enough. We need to grade our drivers.”   

With the 2020 strategy bearing fruit on the Brits-Johannesburg route, more could be achieved.

NOT THE SAME EVERYWHERE

The service on this route, however, contrasted with that being offered elsewhere.

For example, in a taxi to Lethabong, formerly Hartebeesfontein, a marshall had no qualms about kicking out man to make room for a woman.

The only effect the unfortunate soul’s protestations had was to anger the marshall — to the extent that his R3 change was held back.

“The driver will sort you out,” the marshall said.

The aggrieved man did not hazard to find out what this exactly meant, and beat a hasty retreat.

This “skop-and-donner” approach to minibus taxi passengers was wholly absent on Johannesburg-Brits route.

A ray of hope that Santaco is creating a professional taxi industry throughout the country? - Sapa