The Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) has begun rolling out a new cashless payment system aimed at improving commuter safety and reducing robberies targeting taxi passengers. The initiative, launched on June 1, is currently being piloted on two routes Mfuleni and Khayelitsha as operators assess effectiveness before a wider rollout.
CODETA chairperson Nceba Enge confirmed that commuters will use dedicated cards, scanned upon entering taxis, rather than bank cards or cash. Loading kiosks at taxi ranks will allow users to add funds to their cards, with fares deducted according to specific route pricing. Enge emphasized that while the system is designed for card-only transactions long-term, cash payments will temporarily remain an option during the transition period as not all vehicles have been equipped.
“The single most important thing commuters need to know is that this is a phased rollout,” Enge stated. “We are starting with two associations to identify gray areas and refine the system before expanding to all taxis in the area.”
Beyond payment convenience, the initiative incorporates multiple safety features. Cameras will be installed in participating taxis, and a central control room will monitor vehicle movements in real time. Enge explained that operators overseeing the control room can track each taxi on its designated route, enabling immediate response if a vehicle deviates or an incident occurs. This infrastructure, he noted, is intended to curb robbery, corruption, and extortion at taxi ranks by removing cash from daily transactions.
Enge referenced remarks by National Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy, who indicated during a recent industry conference that cashless systems represent the future of public transport across South Africa. “As CODETA, we are proud to be proactive in this transformation,” Enge said. He drew parallels to existing card-based systems used by Metrorail and Golden Arrow bus services.
Driver preparation has been central to the rollout. Enge noted that CODETA, working through its umbrella body SANTACO, has prioritized training drivers on the new technology and customer service standards. He cited the earlier “Blue Dot” project—which equipped over 800 provincial vehicles with tracking systems—as evidence that monitored operations can positively influence driver behavior. The new system similarly allows operators to identify if a taxi strays from its approved route.
Enge also highlighted broader transformation goals within the industry. He referenced comments by the Western Cape Transport Minister regarding a vision of taxi drivers wearing formal attire as part of professionalization efforts. “Psychologically, that changes behavior,” Enge acknowledged, while stressing that such cultural shifts require sustained effort. “This is not overnight work. We need to take our people through a process.”
The chairperson called on national and provincial government to support the initiative, particularly regarding vehicle financing. Enge noted that funds previously allocated to taxi scrapping schemes are now being directed toward reducing vehicle installment costs—aiming for payments under R10,000 rather than the approximately R17,000 currently required for new minibus taxis like the Quantum.
Should the pilot prove successful, Enge expressed confidence that the model could be shared with taxi associations in Durban, Johannesburg, and beyond. “Once we see how it works, we’ll be able to encourage our brothers in other regions to adopt it,” he said.
For now, CODETA urges commuters using the pilot routes to obtain the dedicated cards and familiarize themselves with the loading process, while reassuring the public that transitional flexibility remains in place. The association plans to monitor feedback closely as it prepares for potential province-wide expansion.
