Taxi!!!!

So, everyday, without fail, we have a road accident involving one of our now notorious taxis. For those of you who don't know the South African system, we have a rather pathetic / non-existent public transport system here, and so a massive private taxi industry has mushroomed. However, these are not you London or New York type taxis. There are mini transporters, (like your 7/8 or 9 seater family wagons overseas - VW microbus is a good example). But, these have been modified internally to accommodate upto 16 passengers. No modifications are made to the suspension, tyres, or any other mechanical function. Just addition of more seats. So, the taxis in
most instances are owned by one person, and driven by another. (You have a situation where one person can own upto 20 or more of these taxis). They require a certain fee from the drivers per day, and the driver needs to make as many trips as possible, with as many passengers as possible, as quickly as possible, so as to 1) cover the owners fee, 2) cover his petrol costs, and
3) make some extra for himself on the side.
This leads to the worst driving habits ever witnessed on public roads. These guys will stop when ever, where ever they want, causing much frustration to other road users. They are constantly hooting, trying to attract the attention of any pedestrians, to see if they want to be picked up. They flaunt all the traffic rules with regards proper stopping at stop streets - these are treated as yield points at best, or roll ons. They overtake on the yellow line (Wrong side of the road), they use the emergency lanes on highways to overtake / drive past standing traffic. They have caused emergency vehicles to a) be late at getting to a scene of an accident, and b) be involved in accidents, because of their use of the emergency lane. They will go straight in a turn left / right only lane, pushing their way back into the mainstream traffic somewhere up ahead. And do this only because they know they can. 1) Traffic authorities are lax at enforcing the law in any even, and 2) Taxis and their drivers are usually untraceable even if caught and fined for their traffic violation, and 3) Because they normally "don't have any money", and mostly don't have any insurance, we, as the normal / law abiding / God fearing road users are forced to let them into the lane at any point as any damage to your vehicle will be for your own account. They couldn't be bothered. But, the biggest cause of their accidents is roadworthiness and maintenance,
or the lack of these!Bald tyres, but like Telly Savalas bald! Worn / broken shock absorbers. Steering ststems held together with bits of wire. Worn brake pads replaced with CARDBOARD!!! Yea, I shit you not. And overloading.
Damn, there was a case in the Eastern Cape some years ago where a taxi overturned. Authoroties on the scene said they pulled 42 passangers out of it!!! 42!!!!!!
The other morning here in Johannesburg another one with 24 passangers in it. This morning one had a burst tyre and rolled in the highway. 12 passangers with minor injuries. One lady decapitated!!! And traffic jams for miles around because of it. Daily, the powers that be (those guys and girls in parliament) make their appearance on TV and radio. And the message stays the same. GOVERNMENT needs to expedite the taxi renewal program!!! For some
(many) years now, there has been a drive to recapitalise the taxi industry.

Special purpose built vehicle, to carry up to 35 passangers at a time. Tenders and proposals have been done. Even a buyback for the current fleet of death traps! But it does not seem to get going. Always something in the way. Not sure what the hiccup is now. But, my question is,
"Why should Gov. intervene"? This is a private fleet of taxis. These guys need to maintain the vehicles better, stop overloading, drive safer.... That will take care of more than 90% of the problems. God forbid the day that a bigger vehicle, unmaintained, worn tyres, no brakes, overloaded (36 x 2 = 72! passangers) goes out of control. Can you imagine the carnage then!!!

And from one local newspaper.....
Coffins on Wheels
Coffins on wheels thats how some might describe South Africas mini-bus taxis and government wants to change all that. The taxi revamp, mooted more than 6 years ago, is now gaining momentum, but major taxi bosses are doing their best to oppose it. By 2012, government
wishes to see the 100 000 taxis on our roads replaced with bigger, safer vehicles, which meet safety specifications. A scrapping allowance of R50 000 is offered for taxis exiting the industry, and taxi operators will be expected to invest in vehicles which cost more than double the
price of the popular HIACE. With legal action and further stayaways being threatened, where does this leave taxi commuters?

Well, a mobile wreck can be bought for about R20,000 at a local scrap yard. I'm thinking, if I buy, say 30 of these, at a cost of R600k, and run them for the next year or two, they will pay themselves back in no time. Then, I can sell them to Government at the buy back price of R50K each, thats R11.5M. Not bad for a days work.....
Salagatle