A customer is boss in any business.

A customer is boss in any business.

Companies that treat their clients with disdain have always ended up where they belong - folding up.

A large number of taxi operators have for many years treated their customers with such arrogance that they sometimes even assaulted passengers who complained about their uncouth behaviour.

We are, therefore, happy that this could be a thing of the past, thanks to the launch this week of the taxi pledge by the South African National Taxi Council.

Taxi operators have now pledged to respect and serve their customers with dignity.

What is more important is that they also promise to observe road traffic rules and ensure that passengers arrive safely at their destinations.

We hope taxi bosses will now launch a massive campaign countrywide to educate drivers who ignore road traffic rules and drive recklessly, believing they are doing their customers a favour.

We also urge respective taxi associations to set up committees to monitor and take disciplinary action against those who do not adhere to the pledge.

Santaco president Jabulani Mthembu said during the launch that passengers are what makes the industry, and taxi operators therefore needed to treat them with dignity.

Taximen should recognise this self-evident truth.