The e-mobility programme brings together partners from the technology, financial services, automotive and e-hailing sectors. Vodacom South Africa and SmartOps Fleet are targeting the deployment of up to 55 000 vehicles over the next nine to 12 months, in a programme combining connected-vehicle technology, vehicle finance and managed e-hailing operations. According to a statement, the…
Dashcam footage is bringing renewed attention to e-hailing crime, amid calls for stronger identity checks and coordinated policing. (Image created via Gemini) The growing circulation of dashcam footage showing criminal incidents involving e-hailing vehicles in South Africa is exposing a safety crisis that industry representatives say has persisted for years. Over the past few months,…
As South Africa’s e-hailing market evolves under new regulatory frameworks, how are the platforms adapting? InDrive’s country representative Ashif Black speaks to ITWeb about the brand’s local footprint, national accreditation, its peer-to-peer pricing, and future plans. The enactment of Section 66A of the National Land Transport Amendment Act has been transformational for e-hailing services, leading…
The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is expanding its footprint in the urban-mobility sector with plans to launch its own dedicated e-hailing service, Gau Express, this October. The move positions the state-owned commuter rail operator as a direct competitor to private ride-hailing giants like Uber and Bolt, aiming to solve a critical logistical bottleneck for local…
E-hailing platforms have enabled hundreds of thousands of drivers to earn income despite persistent unemployment and economic challenges. (Image created via Gemini) South Africa’s e-hailing sector has evolved from a convenient transport alternative into a significant contributor to the country’s digital economy, creating hundreds of thousands of income-generating opportunities. This, as the country continues to…
Discovery Bank and Visa data shows ride-hailing growth is now outpacing fuel spend, especially among younger urban consumers. South Africans are increasingly turning to ride-hailing services, as convenience, shifting economics and changing mobility habits reshape urban transport behaviour. This is according to the latest edition of the SpendTrend26 report, compiled by Discovery Bank and Visa, which…
South Africa’s long-awaited e-hailing regulations are finally nearing enforcement, with end-March set as the deadline by the national transport department for their implementation. But the industry is concerned that doesn’t leave sufficient time for them to prepare. The e-hailing sector has expanded rapidly, outpacing regulatory oversight rules. This has coincided with rising reports of assaults,…
Ride-hailing has become an essential service for some users. A majority (90%) of surveyed South African ride-hailing users consider ride-hailing services safer than conventional transport modes, such as buses and traditional taxis. This is according to anew Safety Index report released by Ipsos, commissioned by ride-hailing platform Bolt. The survey was conducted among a sample…
The transport department began holding workshops on new e-hailing rules last week as government gears up to improve safety for passengers and drivers using ride-hailing transport platforms like Uber. The first workshops were held with the nine provincial regulatory bodies and the National Public Transport Regulator, according to department spokesman Collen Msibi. “Dates for the…
Under the new law, regulators will be empowered to withdraw or suspend licences if operators violate the legislation. E-hailing drivers in South Africa who fail to comply with new regulations under the National Land Transport Amendment (NLTA) Act could face a two-year prison sentence or a fine of up to R100 000. So says Donald…
