The MEC of Transport and Public Works, Robin Carlisle today revealed that his department has received a credible briefing about the very real dangers to commuters travelling in mini bus taxis which have been converted from original Toyota Quantum panel vans.
On the basis of the information received, MEC Carlisle is satisfied that every Toyota Quantum conversion is a potential time bomb and that the conversions may have already cost many lives.
Minister Carlisle has written to the national Minister of Transport to advise him of the information he had received and is waiting for the department’s response. In the meantime, the MEC feels that he has a duty to notify the citizens of the province of the danger they might face travelling in these vehicles.
“I have a moral responsibility to inform Western Cape commuters about the alleged risks that these vehicles pose. My advice to commuters is not to travel in converted Toyota Quantum panel vans until it has been established beyond a shadow of doubt that they are 100 percent safe,” said the Minister.
Minister Carlisle added that the Legislature’s Standing Committees on
Community Safety and Finance respectively has already commenced a thorough investigation into the converted Toyota Quantum panel vans. All the information obtained will be passed on to the national Minister for his further attention.
Note to editors:
The Department of Transport has established that there are 44 Toyota Quantum Pal Vans which have been converted into minibus taxis in the province. We believe that Quantum Panel Vans could be a safety risk because of the following deficiencies:
- floor thickness not sufficient
- seat anchoragethe lack of roll over protection bars
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