Soweto United E-hailing Association and the Soweto Taxi Association passed a restriction that prevented drivers for Uber and Bolt from picking up or dropping off passengers at any of the town’s malls.
It comes after fights that took place recently at Maponya Mall and Protea Glen Mall between drivers for ride-hailing services and owners of minibus taxis.
It is believed that at least two individuals were hurt, and three ride-hailing vehicles were destroyed during the initial incident that occurred at Maponya Mall on June 1, 2023.
Men are seen in a video that has been shared on social media punching one other and the cars. In addition, there are films showing cars on fire with the sound of gunfire in the background.
Read also: Uber announces group rides, teen accounts at Go-Get Event
A member of the Gauteng Mayoral Committee in charge of transportation named Kenny Kunene asserted that ride-hailing companies had reached a consensus that their drivers would not enter shopping mall parking lots.
He went on to say that drivers who carry senior citizens and those with impairments would be granted an exemption from the rule.
While Kunene stated that the “ban” would only stay until today, June 9, 2023, when a follow-up meeting would occur to finalise solutions, the Soweto United E-hailing Association claimed that an agreement existed and would run until September 2023. Kunene stated that the “ban” would only last until today, June 9, 2023.
The Soweto Taxi Association was accused of being the organisation that was responsible for the attacks by drivers for ride-hailing services. They said that the proprietors of the organization’s taxis accuse the drivers of Bolt and Uber of “stealing” their customers.
Kunene indicated that the true problem was rogue operators posing as ride-hailing drivers, which he referred to as “maphele” (which is Sotho for “cockroaches”). These individuals allegedly approach potential customers at the entrances of shopping malls and impersonate them as drivers for Bolt and Uber.
They then make the offer to take the customer to their destination for a fee that is fifty percent lower than the price listed on any of the applications.
On the other hand, in a statement that was distributed on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the E-hailing Partners Council asserted that the fundamental reason of the attacks was a lack of regulation in the e-hailing industry, including a recognised system of driver identity.
About Uber
Uber is a transportation firm that operates through an app that enables riders to request rides and chauffeurs to set fares and get paid for their services. To be more exact, Uber is a ridesharing company that utilises the services of independent contractors for the role of drivers. It is one of the numerous services that exist in the modern world that contribute to the concept of the sharing economy by offering a means of linking resources that already exist rather than providing the actual resources themselves.
Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp established the company in 2009, and it currently maintains its headquarters in the city of San Francisco. It is estimated that the corporation has 110 million users all around the world.
About Bolt
Bolt is an Estonian mobility firm that provides a variety of services, including ride-hailing, micro mobility rental, food and grocery delivery, as well as car-sharing. The organization’s operations may be found in over 500 cities throughout more than 45 countries across Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and Latin America. Its headquarters are located in Tallinn.
Bolt is a technology startup that is democratising commerce by offering lightning-fast, one-click checkout to people all over the world. Ryan Breslow is the creator of Bolt as well as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Becoming a driver for Bolt is a quick and straightforward process; there are no daily deposits or monthly fees required. You only have to pay a commission when you actually make money, and you get to keep a higher percentage of what you earn.