Digital payments of minibus taxi fares are set to be rolled out to the industry across Gauteng.<\/p>\n
The card-based project \u2013 which is backed by the Gauteng provincial government and headed up by the TaxiChoice Association \u2013 will be introduced to the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Mabopane (JPM) route.<\/p>\n
The new method of collection will involve commuters using what looks like a regular bank card or quick response (QR) code to pay for their taxi fare.<\/p>\n
Jotham Msibi, TaxiChoice Association\u2019s executive chairman, said that the project is planned to allow for better control of cash in the taxi industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe initiative is compliant with payment regulations and is a level-four banking standard, operating on the same platform that banks are using,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis system is making use of a very high technology system and the same system can be used for buses and trains, to make public transport efficient, reliable and safe,\u201d Msibi added.<\/p>\n
Gauteng Transport MEC, Ismail Vadi, said that the initiative was a smaller part in the greater goal of public transport commuters being able to use one card for all forms of transport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe standard that must be strived for is \u2018One Province \u2013 One Ticket\u2019 in line with the national electronic fare collection regulations,\u201d he added.\u201cWe want there to be one electronic card with no problems. This is a disruptive technology that needs to be used to our advantage but we must take our time,\u201d Vadi said.<\/p>\n
Vadi said that the initiative also intends to make taxi transportation safer for commuters.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that the driver does not need to collect and count taxi fares he can be focused on driving,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The taxi digital fare collection system is owned and being implemented by FairPay.<\/p>\n
TaxiChoice \u2013 the commercial arm of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) \u2013 is currently the sole shareholder in FairPay, with Curve Group Holdings as the technology partner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe in connecting people to opportunity and this project represents a leap ahead for the South African taxi industry. Through the use of digital technology we can assist millions of hard-working people to be more connected, more informed and lead better lives,\u201d adds Fred Baumhardt, CEO of Curve Group.<\/p>\n
The first phase which is the JPM route is set to be rolled out in February 2017, whereby commuters will be able to load their FairPay cards via point of sale (POS) devices and via kiosks at taxi ranks.<\/p>\n
These services are also planned to be available in selected retail stores.<\/p>\n
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