New E-Hailing Regulations Set to Transform Safety and Competition in South Africa

South Africa’s e-hailing industry is about to change in a big way. The Transport Department has officially gazetted the National Land Transport Amendment Act, recognising e-hailing as a formal mode of public transport and introducing new rules aimed at improving safety and reducing long-standing tensions with the taxi industry.

Clear Branding To End Confusion

One of the most significant changes is the requirement for all e-hailing vehicles to be branded. This means Uber, Bolt and other operators will no longer blend quietly into traffic. Instead, their cars will carry clear markers that identify them as e-hailing vehicles.

According to Transport Department spokesperson Collen Msibi, this move addresses two major concerns: safety for passengers and a crackdown on illegal operators. “The public must be able to tell which vehicle is a legitimate e-hailing car,” he explained. Operators without valid licenses will face steep penalties of up to R100 000 or even two years behind bars.

A Response To Taxi-E-Hailing Clashes

The regulations arrive after years of violent clashes between metered taxi associations and e-hailing drivers. South Africa’s streets have often become battlegrounds, with commuters caught in the middle. By creating legal recognition and clearer rules, government hopes to calm tensions and establish firmer boundaries between the two industries.

Public Reaction And Industry Concerns

On social media, reactions have been mixed. Many commuters welcomed the new regulations, saying branded vehicles will help them feel safer when hailing rides late at night. Others worry that mandatory branding could make e-hailing drivers more visible and potentially more vulnerable to harassment from rivals.

E-hailing companies have yet to announce how they will adapt, but operators on the ground have raised concerns about who will cover the costs of branding and whether stricter rules might drive up fares.

A Turning Point For Public Transport

The recognition of e-hailing in law marks a turning point for South Africa’s transport sector. For years, e-hailing has existed in a grey zone, caught between innovation and regulation. With these new rules, government is signalling that the sector is here to stay but it must operate under the same accountability and visibility as taxis and buses.

For everyday Joburgers and Capetonians who rely on e-hailing apps to get around, the coming months will show whether these changes truly deliver safer, more reliable rides or simply spark fresh disputes over who controls South Africa’s roads.

Source:SABC News 

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