E-hailing service officially recognised as legal public transport. Image credit: SABC.
(The Post News)– The Department of Transport has formally announced the National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTAA), giving e-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt full legal recognition as public transport operators in South Africa.
The move ends years of regulatory limbo for the sector, which has often clashed with the minibus taxi industry over fairness and compliance.
Department spokesperson Collen Msibi said the legislation provides clarity and balance in the transport industry. “The Act ushers in a new service type, the e-hailing service, as an additional choice of transport to the traveling public.
“It also seeks to affirm and officially recognize the new service type that has been treated as an illegal operation by the other service type operators on the streets,” he said.
Under the new law, e-hailing operators must obtain operating licenses, ensure their vehicles carry company branding, and install safety features such as panic buttons. In addition, the vehicles will only be allowed to operate within designated geographic zones.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), which has long criticised the unregulated growth of e-hailing services, welcomed the Act but pointed to delays in its implementation. The body argued that the years-long gap created “unfair competition” for taxi operators who were already subject to strict regulations.
SANTACO spokesperson said, “For too long, e-hailing vehicles operated outside the legal framework, while our members carried the full weight of compliance costs and restrictions. We hope this law will finally level the playing field.”
Reports indicate that the announcement of the Act is expected to bring stability to a transport sector often marred by disputes between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing drivers, while also offering commuters a wider range of regulated options.
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