PUBLIC DEMAND AND NEED
Transport sector and government must adapt to the digital economy
The Competition Commission has received numerous formal complaints relating to public transport since 2009. Most of these have related to excessive pricing on long-distance bus services (especially during holiday peak periods) and restrictive practices such as certain taxi operators being denied entry to airports to compete with other taxi association members. These complaints were lodged against the backdrop of a sector that is highly fragmented in nature and afflicted with a history of violence and conflict over routes within the taxi industry. However, in the recent past, tension has also been raised and lives have been lost due to the threat posed by the entry into the market of app-based or e-hailing taxi services such as Uber Technologies and Taxify. Uber and Taxify are the main app-based services in SA. It also appears that local alternatives are entering the market, including Scoop a Cab and Ryda. The commission received a complaint from the metered-taxi industry against Ube...
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