A critical analysis of the process of taxi recapitalisation policy

Abstract

The taxi industry in South Africa has had a chequered history by being informally organised and with activities fraught with problems of violence, accidents, deaths, unroadworthy vehicles, taxi evasion and unbecoming driver conduct. Government exists, and, through the policy-making process, to regulate affairs of constituents for purpose of promoting human welfare. Such is the premise for Govemment intervention in developing the Taxi Recapitalisation Policy. For the purpose of this study the hypothesis was constructed that the attempt and process by Govemment to develop a policy of recapitalisation of the taxi industry was flawed and was likely to generate further resistance and violence. In pursuance for search of answers for the hypothesis, use was made of literature study to trace the historical development of the taxi industry in South Africa, and to analyse the intricacies in the process of the art of policy making. These were further developed by an empirical study that confirmed models in public policy, among others; > The apparent chaos in organisation of the taxi industry had become dysfunctional to human welfare that required Government intervention through policy-making; > The process of regulation was a function of interaction of official and unofficial participants namely: The Department of Transport, Commissions of Inquiries, taxi owners, taxi associations as interest and pressure groups drivers, commuters, banks and insurance companies; and > The consultation process between transport authorities and the taxi industry had not been inclusive enough and consequently failed as an effective tool to bring taxi stakeholders to clear comprehension of the taxi recapitalisation policy. The study concludes with recommendations for Government action, and for further research.