From Licensing to Safety Checks: Big Changes Coming for Uber and Bolt
Uber, Bolt, and other e-hailing platforms in South Africa are on the brink of major changes. This is as new transport regulations are set to reshape how they operate across the country.
The Department of Transport is preparing to roll out the long-awaited National Land Transport Amendment (NLTA) Act. The act has been in development for more than a decade. Portfolio Committee on Transport chairperson, Donald Selamolela, confirmed that the legislation is being translated into a second official language before it can be formally gazetted in October. Although President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the act into law in 2024, it has yet to be implemented.
What the New Laws Mean for E-Hailing
The NLTA will overhaul the current system. This would give e-hailing drivers official licenses tailored to the industry, instead of relying on charter or metered taxi permits. Other key provisions include:
- Operating Licenses: Drivers will be licensed for specific geographic areas.
- Vehicle Identification: Cars must display visible e-hailing branding.
- Driver Vetting: Criminal record checks will be mandatory.
- Safety Features: Vehicles must have panic buttons, and drivers must keep profile photos updated.
Failure to comply could result in harsh penalties, including up to two years in prison or fines of R100,000. Regulators will also have the power to suspend or revoke licenses.
Also read: E-Hailing Driver Killed at Maponya Mall: SANTACO Offers Family Support
Tackling Safety and Violence
One of the main drivers behind the legislation is the ongoing violence between the taxi industry and e-hailing operators. Attacks on e-hailing drivers have escalated in areas such as Soweto and KwaZulu-Natal. One of the most tragic incidents took place at Maponya Mall, where a driver was killed and several others were injured.
Taxi associations have long denied involvement in the violence but continue to face accusations of trying to monopolise transport routes through intimidation. Selamolela stressed that the NLTA is designed to reduce this tension by bringing clarity and legitimacy to e-hailing operations.
A key issue fueling conflict has been individuals posing as e-hailing drivers and offering rides at cutthroat rates, undercutting both licensed operators and taxi drivers. The Soweto Taxi Association and the South African National Taxi Council have both said that proper regulation through the NLTA is vital to addressing the problem.
Also read: Gauteng’s Upcoming E-Hailing Service Aims to Create Local Jobs
Uber and Bolt: Looking Ahead
While the new laws aim to create a safer and more regulated environment, Selamolela acknowledged that they cannot stop the natural shifts in the transport industry. Instead, the hope is that clear rules and stricter enforcement will reduce violent clashes and allow e-hailing and traditional taxis to coexist more peacefully.
With the NLTA set to be gazetted in October, Uber and Bolt drivers as well as their customers can expect significant changes in how the services operate in the months ahead.
Related article: Uber vs Bolt: A Look into Gauteng’s E-Hailing Services
