The Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) has piloted a new cashless payment system aimed at modernising fare collection across its taxi services.
Under the system, which came into effect on 1 June, commuters are required to use prepaid smart cards that are scanned when boarding a taxi, replacing traditional cash payments.
CODETA chairperson Nceba Enge acknowledged that the transition to the new technology may present challenges during the initial stages of implementation.
“Commuters will be required to scan their cards when boarding a taxi using a device operated by the driver. The system will also include cameras installed in taxis,” Enge said.
He explained that the rollout has been introduced as a pilot project on the Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Killarney routes, allowing the association to assess how the system functions in practice and identify any challenges before a broader implementation.
“The rollout has initially been introduced on the Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Killarney routes as a pilot project, allowing CODETA to assess how the system functions in practice and identify any challenges that may need to be addressed before wider implementation,” he added.
While some commuters have welcomed the move as a step towards modernising public transport, concerns remain about how the system will operate in practice and whether all passengers will be able to adapt to the new payment method.
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