DigiCore Holding’s Ctrack arm has equipped approximately 3,000 minibus taxis in Kwa-Zulu Natal with electronic fare collection equipment, dubbed “Tap-i-fare”.<\/p>\n
The project will initially target all taxis and commuters within the Grange & Westgate, Ridge Park, Buffer, KwaNyamazane, Alexandra Road Extension, Richmond Crest, Pelham, France and Napierville areas and commenced today 2 July 2012.
\nOnce the system has been refined, it will be rolled-out across the District of uMgungundlovu, said DigiCore.<\/p>\n
The uMgungundlovu Regional Taxi Council, with its 40 taxi associations, collectively owns 3,700 taxis and transports more than 500,000 people daily.<\/p>\n
The current system is cash-based, with the result that checks and balances regarding vehicle condition, driver behaviour and passenger safety have been difficult to manage, monitor and enforce, taxi owners said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe time has come for our commuters and citizens to see our taxis as a safe, affordable, convenient and eco-friendly means of commuting,” said Boy Zondi, regional chairperson of the Taxi Council.<\/p>\n
“The taxi industry has grown over the years, and we as the District of uMgungundlovu are proud to be among the first in the country to embark on a project that will see the implementation of controls and rewards for good driving behaviour within the taxi industry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The project also involves fitting a Ctrack fitting system into every taxi “which will alert operators and the management centre regarding, speeding, route violations, accidents, theft and hijacking,” DigiCore said.<\/p>\n
On-board cameras, the payment system and the 24 hour call center will monitor passanger safety and ensure that driving behaviour and traffic violations will be logged.<\/p>\n
“Through this management system, driver profiles will be managed and good driving rewarded,” DigiCore said.<\/p>\n
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