Amendments to the National Land Transport Act (NLTA) give the Transport Minister powers to set e-hailing prices, previously controlled by platforms like Bolt and Uber.
- The change is seen as a win for the local transport industry, addressing long-standing concerns of e-hailing operators.
- Operators have protested over low earnings, safety concerns, and poor communication from app companies.
- The revised NLTA aims to establish fair prices for operators, considering their input and operational costs.
- Ride-hailing drivers will no longer need charter permits and meter taxi operating licences, a change requested for over 13 years.
- A new category of operating licence will be introduced, legitimizing the sector and enabling crackdowns on illegal operators.
- Provincial regulators can withdraw or suspend licences for contraventions of the NLTA or Roads Act, ensuring greater accountability.