South Africa’s public transport system exhibits many shortcomings that can turn the navigation of our cities into a trying experience. Because of their extensive availability and wide route network, minibus taxis are the preferred means of public transport for South Africans who do not own a motor vehicle. As with any type of road usage in South Africa, there are precautions that need to be taken into consideration that can help ensure a safe commute when using minibus taxis.
If you are planning to commute via a minibus taxi, it helps to be familiar with the following tips to ensure that you get to your destination safely:
South Africa’s public transport system exhibits many gaps that can turn the navigation of our cities into a trying experience. Because of their extensive availability and wide route network, minibus taxis are the preferred means of public transport for South Africans who do not own a motor vehicle. As with any type of road usage in South Africa, there are precautions that need to be taken into consideration that can help ensure a safe commute when using minibus taxis.
If you are planning to commute via a minibus taxi, it helps to be familiar with the following tips to ensure that you get to your destination safely:
- Chat to friends or family members that have used minibus taxis before. You may have colleagues at work or perhaps people in your neighbourhood that frequently use taxis. Their advice helps as you will need to find out where to wait and how to recognise a taxi’s intended destination. Unfortunately, due to the informality of taxi use, it is rarely possible to source a set timetable and set of instructions on taxi use. Hence why communication with taxi users is your most valuable tool in educating yourself on their timetables, routes and rules.
- This next point uses Johannesburg, Gauteng as an example:
If you are taking a taxi to Sandton, you should be aware of the transfer between taxis. If your closest taxi rank between your destination and Sandton is Alexandra Township, often you will have to take one taxi into Alexandra and then alight another taxi that travels into Sandton. Johannesburg CBD is home to one of the province’s main taxi ranks – if your point A is more than 20 km from your point B, you will have to get off the taxi at the rank in the CBD that picked you up at point A and take another taxi to point B. When you are a newbie, many taxi drivers will assist you with this somewhat complicated rule, as will fellow commuters.
- When in doubt, simply ask. While waiting for a taxi you can ask fellow commuters, or if there are none around, you can ask the taxi driver who has stopped for you if they are going to your destination. Bear in mind that they will often say yes, even if they are simply going to a main taxi rank where you can find a transferring taxi to your intended destination.
- Have the correct amount of fare on you. Prices may fluctuate so it would be best to simply carry a decent amount of coins on you. When in the taxi, you will notice how new passengers will start handing their fare from the back along to the front once they have settled into their seat. Pass your fare through to the person in front of you who will, in turn, pass it to either the conductor or the passenger in the front seat. (Extra tip – try not to sit in the front next to the taxi driver, as you will be the designated money counter).
- Only flag down the safest taxi that you can see. Check for a solid, straight chassis, sturdy wheels and never climb aboard an overcrowded taxi. You are responsible for your own safety as far as minibus taxis are concerned, and the best that you can do with regards to this is choosing the safest-looking one possible. If, at any point, throughout your journey you feel unsafe, ask the driver to stop so that you can disembark immediately.
As with any journey on public transportation, it is important to keep your wits about you and protect yourself and your belongings. If possible, don’t carry valuables on you. Stay alert. Just as you shouldn’t get on an overcrowded taxi, you must also avoid taking an empty taxi where the only occupants are the driver and a conductor.
Once you have obtained your very own motor vehicle, ensure that you have the very best car insurance policy in place to protect yourself and your finances.
[Information kindly provided by MiWay]
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