Taxi industry defends fare hikes as fuel prices surge

The minibus taxi industry says taxi fare hikes are unavoidable, especially with the current high fuel prices. While some taxi associations across the country have already increased their fares, others are also expected follow suit this month.

FUEL PRICE HIKE | SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala says commuters should prepare for another increase in taxi fares, as the previous hike was delayed to give passengers time to adjust. pic.twitter.com/9dNYwwTnUL

— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 5, 2026

The industry has agreed to an increase of between R2.00 and R6.00 for local trips. While long distance trips will be going up by between R10 to R30. SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) spokesperson, Rebecca Phala says the taxi industry is also feeling the pinch.

“With the second announcement, all of us had to acknowledge that more money will be spent on Diesel especially because most of our cars use it. They are paying just over R30 now for a litre so we cannot avoid these hikes. The associations that have not implemented the taxi fare hikes will do so mid-May or at the end of the month.”