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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPricing woes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shedding light on a critical challenge for the ride-sharing industry, Lilane said that achieving fair pricing for both drivers and passengers is essential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe sad reality is that South African drivers tend to earn less than minimum wage (of R27.58 per hour),” said Lilane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because their earnings are eroded by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Longer hours are often the only way to compensate, impacting driver well-being and potentially compromising safety,” said the inDriver representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it is hoped that the recently enacted Economic Regulation of Transport Act (which looks to consolidate the economic regulation of transport within a single framework and policy) will positively impact their earnings, “drivers must be given more control over pricing,” said Lilane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He said that this, in turn, will empower them “to achieve sustainable incomes and economic stability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lilane argues that driver control over pricing could also benefit passengers. \u201cThis would allow them to access more competitive fares, a critical factor during the current cost-of-living crisis where affordable transportation is a major concern,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lilane also urges the ride-hailing industry to reintroduce and expand incentive programmes and bonuses as a way to reward drivers, especially with 85% reporting that these are essential for their earnings, that are already often well below minimum wage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Safety issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe rapid growth of ride-hailing in South Africa has coincided with a concerning rise in threats to the safety of both drivers and riders across all operators in this space, tarnishing the reputation of the entire industry as a result,\u201d said Lilane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This has been taking effect in the headlines, with numerous reports of passengers being attacked, robbed and more by some drivers<\/a>, while many drivers themselves have faced the same ill fate<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnfortunately, this isn’t unique to South Africa, as similar incidents are reported globally,\u201d said Lilane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are various safety challenges in the industry, including that of insufficient driver background checks, lax enforcement of vehicle maintenance, and passenger harassment of drivers among others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lilane emphasises that there needs to be shared responsibility approach, such as offering in-app support for both parties to address any violations promptly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n New frontiers for e-hailing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Liliane noted that e-hailing can extend beyond passenger services in South Africa to significantly impact the freight and cargo sector, especially in underserved remote areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said that by leveraging technology and networks, these platforms could offer dependable cargo transport, opening new revenue opportunities for drivers and enhancing the country’s logistics infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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