Department of Transport media summary update
28 March 2020 – 08h30
Executive Summary/ Key take- outs
The media is still reporting on the impact of lockdown day 1 has had on public transport pillar. Industry bodies such as the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council are finding that the regulations around the lockdown are not financially sustainable thus opting to terminate all operations of public transport.
The Minister of Transport has also reported that day 1 of the lockdown has brought about challenges to the transport industry and specifically acknowledges the challenges faced by public transport.
Transnet has also issued a media release detailing which operations will be scaled down on as these are deemed non-essential.
- Aviation Transport: N/a
- Maritime Transport: N/a
- Public Transport
3.1. Coronavirus: Durban taxi association's operations crushed by lockdown regulations
A major Durban taxi association is unable to continue its operations during the national lockdown because it is not financially viable, in another example of the economic pinch felt because of lockdown regulations. Ethekwini Metro Taxi Council, which ferries people to and from the Durban CBD will shut down all its operations within the Durban metro on Friday. New regulations during the lockdown means the group's taxis will only be able to carry seven people at a time.
The council's secretary, Mathula Mkhize said: "We have supported the government and bought sanitisers for passengers and masks for drivers. Little did we know this morning that there is a new rule which exposes our taxis and passengers to seven people per car. This was saddening because we had to abandon some of our passengers."
3.2. All taxi operations suspended in Durban
The eThekwini Metro Taxi Council says it's suspended all taxi operations in Durban - as it cannot cope financially under government's new regulations for the coronavirus lockdown.
The organisation says it was only notified this morning about the maximum number of passengers that a single vehicle can now carry. Operators who usually transport 14 people per trip - are now permitted to carry seven passengers.
It's part of the new social distancing measures put in place during the 21-day lockdown.
The council's Mathula Mkhize says taxis - that operate within the eThekwini Metro - stopped running from 10 this morning. The decision's going to affect how people, who make use of public transport in Durban - move around.
"We are in full support on the call of the President. We have given support to all conditions that government has given us around the health guides."
"Unfortunately this morning we learnt of the restricted number per load that should be loaded in our vehicl es and sadly that a brought economic impact to the operation and it has caused conflicting situations between passengers, police and our drivers."
Eastcoast Radio - https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/all-taxi-operations-suspended-durban/
3.3. Long queues at taxi ranks and shops plague day one of SA's lockdown
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula has conceded that there were a number of challenges that had presented themselves on first day of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Lockdown regulations state that minibus taxis and e-hailing services can only operate for a total of eight hours a day, primarily for the use of essential services workers. These are from 5am to 9am and from 4pm to 8pm. The public transport vehicles were also not permitted to reach full capacity.
But Mbalula admitted on Friday evening that many commuters were left stranded after waiting in long queues. He said that this was in part due to some in the taxi industry not playing their part.
“The first challenge was that of the long line of queues, where the taxi industry did not come to transport people. Those long queues must be addressed. There were also challenges in application of how many people can be in a taxi at a time — and we have clarified that it can only be 60%. Anything above that undermines what government is trying to achieve [by the lockdown],” he said.
Some in the taxi industry have cried foul over the move to limit the number of passengers in taxis without any subsidy for the loss of income. Mbalula did not rule out that some amendments could be made to the regulations around operating times, but said that it did not make sense to make the changes in haste on day one.
Responding to the use of public transport for those wanting to buy essential items, the minister said that people needed to shop within their immediate spaces. He said people must not travel long distances. “We are discouraging people from doing that. It is a huge issue for us. My answer is [to] limit the movement. Stay where you are and don’t go far away to get what you can get in the spaza shop down the road,” he said.
He said that law enforcement had also been beefed up at major provincial entry points where some were seeking to defy the call not to move between provinces.
3.4. Empty taxi rank and a few residents in the streets, Ga-Rankuwa responds to lockdown
Movement around the township of Ga-Rankuwa has slowed to a snail's pace as the first day of the lockdown officially kicked in at midnight.
Only the odd resident could be seen walking around the streets trying to get on with the day. A few local spaza shops were still open for business.
Resident Tebogo Makgatho said even though he was willing to comply with the order to stay indoors for the 21 days lockdown, he still did not believe he would be infected by the coronavirus.
"They need to be truthful, I believe this is a white man's illness and it won't affect us blacks." There was also not a single taxi in sight at the rank.
Chairperson of the Ga-Rankuwa Taxi Association, Joseph Maluleka, said a few taxis were able to operate briefly between 5am until 9am today, with a few challenges. Maluleka said they were still trying to organise permit letters for their drivers, as some were given trouble by the authorities along the way.
Another issue he said was that some of the drivers complained of the small loads of commuters they were allowed to carry. From their side he said they had instructed drivers that 22-seater minibus taxis were only to carry 11 passengers and 15-seaters only eight.
3.5. Minibus taxis suspend services in city on day 1 of lockdown
Public transport came to a standstill in Richards Bay and surrounding areas today (Friday) after taxi associations were told to suspend all operations, a directive from the South African Taxi Council’s provincial chairperson.
This is according to Richards Bay Taxi Association spokesperson Sibusiso Nzuza, who confirmed that operations were put on hold until SANTACO chairperson Boy Zondi meets with Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to discuss the matter.
Zululand Observer - https://zululandobserver.co.za/216558/minibus-taxis-suspend-services-ci…- lockdown/
4. Rail Transport
4.1. Update 1-South Africa's Transnet to cut transport of non-essential cargo during lockdown
South Africa’s logistics firm Transnet said it would reduce transport services and non-essential cargo operations during a nationwide lockdown that began at midnight on Thursday to contain the coronavirus. The state-owned company said shipments of metals and minerals would depend on demand and government approval. It was unclear if these exports would be affected.
The transport of coal to state-run utility Eskom’s power stations would continue, Transnet said. Transnet operates nearly three quarters of the African rail network, the bulk of which is in South Africa. It said it had decided to close all automotive terminals and multi-purpose terminals at the ports of East London, Saldanha, Port Elizabeth and Maydon Wharf in Durban.
Reuters - https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-safrica-ports/update…- cut-transport-of-non-essential-cargo-during-lockdown-idUSL8N2BK2GX
4.2. Transnet To Prioritise Transportation Of Essential Goods
Media release that was issued by Transnet
In line with government’s call for a 21-day lockdown of the country in order to minimise the spread of the COVID-
19 virus, Transnet SOC Ltd has taken the decision to scale down all of our transportation services and operations of non-essential cargo during the state lockdown. As Transnet, our primary concern continues to be the health and safety of our employees and the local communities in which we live and work. The services we render are also essential to the efficient functioning of our economy, more so in this time.
After consultation with various stakeholders, Transnet has comprehensively assessed its environment and the impact of its services to South Africa at large, during this regrettable COVID-19 era.
The release then details the following operations and associated commodities will be prioritised:
- Transnet Port Terminals
- Transnet National Ports Authority
- Port control
- Transnet Freight Rail
- Transnet Pipelines
Railways Africa- https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/transnet-to-prioritise-transportation-of-essential-goods
4.3. Transnet to cut transport of non-essential cargo during lockdown
South Africa’s logistics firm Transnet said it would reduce transport services and non-essential cargo operations during a nationwide lockdown that began at midnight on Thursday to contain the coronavirus.
The state-owned company said shipments of metals and minerals would depend on demand and government approval. It was unclear if these exports would be affected. The transport of coal to state-run utility Eskom’s power stations would continue, Transnet said.
Transnet operates nearly three quarters of the African rail network, the bulk of which is in South Africa. It said it had decided to close all automotive terminals and multi-purpose terminals at the ports of East London, Saldanha, Port Elizabeth and Maydon Wharf in Durban.
5. Roads Transport
N/A
6. Notable – addressing two or more of the above-transport pillars
6.1. Transport deptartment reconsidering lockdown regulations on taxis, cargo, licensing
The Department of Transport is reconsidering some of the new regulations that came into effect on Friday, after some incidents during the first day of the national lockdown.
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said the taxi industry had raised concerns regarding regulations that state taxis could not exceed 50% of their legal capacity.
He added more concerns were raised about the limitation of cargo movements to only essential cargo, and all cargo would now be allowed passage.
The department was also in the "process of issuing new directions covering transitional arrangements relating to driver's and learner's licensing issues", Mbalula said.
Transport incidents
Mbalula said six South African sailors were currently stuck at a Durban port and unable to disembark and return home due to the lockdown. Regulations prohibit crew changes at any ports of entry.
"The Queen Elizabeth II is waiting for clearance to enter the port in order to refuel and take provisions. This is a matter we are urgently considering," Mbalula said.
In KwaZulu-Natal, an accident between a minibus taxi and a truck killed six people in the early hours of Friday and injured nine others.
International News - Notable
1. Aviation Transport:
1.1 Airlines around the world look to government help for financial survival
- Reuters - Airlines welcome US stimulus package but more will be needed
- CNBC - Airline workers win $32bn lifeline in US stimulus package
- Daily Mail- UK transport minister doesn't rule out helping airlines
- Independent- UK airlines plead with government for refund holiday
- BBC - Virgin Atlantic to seek government bailout in coming days
- Straits Times- Singapore Airlines to get help from country's sovereign wealth fund
2. Maritime Transport:
2.1 Global maritime sector struggles as trade slumps
- Hellenic Shipping News - Free flow of ocean cargo at risk
- Maritime Executive - US coast guards encourage remote inspections
3. Public Transport:
3.1 Public transport looks to government help as travel suspended across nations
- UK transport minister promises bailout for bus sector
4. Rail Transport:
- No new updates
5. Road Transport:
5.1 India suspends toll collection on its roads during 21 day lockdown
- Outlook India - Government suspends tolls to ease supply of essential goods movement
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