Uber vs metred taxi prices in South Africa
Reports of ongoing violence against Uber drivers across Johannesburg continued this week, as metered taxi drivers stepped up calls against the company for its anti-competitive pricing.
According to a 23 July report by the Sunday Independent, the violence has turned the most profitable routes into no-go zones for Uber drivers, meaning that many of them are in financial distress as a result.
Following the death of one of its driver partners earlier in July, the Uber Drivers Movement shared a list of the pick-up points that have seen their members beaten and their vehicles torched and shot at in the long-running feud over passengers.
These included very specific no-go zones like the Summit Club in Hillbrow, Royal Park in Joubert Park, and the CBD (specifically around the Carlton Centre) as well as all Gautrain stations and a number of malls such as Eastgate, Mall of Africa and Southgate.
Pricing
Earlier this month the Competition Commission launched a market inquiry into the public transportation sector, including the issues between metred taxi and Uber drivers.
The Commission said that the scope of the inquiry will include price setting mechanisms, price regulation, transport planning, allocation of subsidies, route allocation, and licensing requirements, among other factors.
BusinessTech looked at a comparison of the pricing between metred taxi and Uber drivers in and around the Johannesburg region.
In comparing the two, we looked at the pricing as provided for in the Uber app as well as pricing quoted by three independent taxi operators in the area.
Note: These fares are estimates only and do not reflect variations due to discounts, traffic delays or other factors. Flat rates and minimum fares may also apply.
| From | To | Distance (km) | UberX | Uber Blk | Uber Van | Taxi Co.1 | Taxi Co.2 | Taxi Co.3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR Tambo Intl. | Sandton City | 23.0 | R261 – R348 |
R460 – R609 |
R570 – R753 |
R400 – R450 |
±R270 | ±R280 |
| OR Tambo Intl. | Mall of Africa | 19.7 | R196 – R260 |
R346 – R457 |
R430 – R566 |
R250 – R300 |
±R230 | ±R240 |
| OR Tambo Intl. | Eastgate | 15.2 | R150 – R199 |
R266 – R351 |
R331 – R435 |
R200 – R250 |
±R180 | ±R180 |
| OR Tambo Intl. | Southgate | 37.9 | R354 – R471 |
R620 – R823 |
R767 – R1 016 |
R475 – R550 |
±R430 | ±R430 |
| OR Tambo Intl. | Park Station | 23.1 | R216 – R287 |
R381 – R504 |
R473 – R624 |
R300 – R350 |
±R270 | ±R270 |
| Sandton City | Mall of Africa | 14.8 | R147 – R194 |
R261 – R344 |
R325 – R427 |
R200 – R250 |
±R180 | ±R180 |
| Sandton City | Eastgate | 18.3 | R157 – R209 |
R279 – R367 |
R346 – R456 |
R250 – R300 |
±R220 | ±R220 |
| Sandton City | Southgate | 25.3 | R219 – R291 |
R387 – R511 |
R479 – R632 |
R350 – R400 |
±R290 | ±R290 |
| Sandton City | Park Station | 15.4 | R92 – R122 |
R167 – R217 |
R209 – R271 |
R200 – R250 |
±R190 | ±R175 |
| Mall of Africa | Eastgate | 23.4 | R194 – R258 |
R343 – R453 |
R425 – R561 |
R300 – R350 |
±R270 | ±R265 |
| Mall of Africa | Southgate | 34.9 | R337 – R449 |
R590 – R783 |
R730 – R968 |
R450 – R500 |
±R395 | ±R400 |
| Mall of Africa | Park Station | 26.6 | R202 – R267 |
R356 – R470 |
R442 – R582 |
R350 – R400 |
±R310 | ±R310 |
| Eastgate | Southgate | 29.0 | R247 – R329 |
R435 – R576 |
R538 – R712 |
R350 – R400 |
±R330 | ±R330 |
| Eastgate | Park Station | 9.1 | R79 – R104 |
R144 – R187 |
R181 – R234 |
R100 – R150 |
±R120 | ±R110 |
| Southgate | Park Station | 11.7 | R106 – R140 |
R190 – R249 |
R238 – R310 |
R150 – R200 |
±R145 | ±R130 |
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