The taxi industry plays a crucial role in South Africa’s economy, transporting millions of commuters daily. According to the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), approximately 15 million South Africans rely on minibus taxis every day. With so many people relying on this transport system, it benefits all parties to look at adopting digital methods of conducting payments, which also contributes to the country’s broader digital transformation and financial inclusion efforts, bringing informal sectors into the formal economy.
Add to this that in a recent statement, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi called for the taxi industry to fully transition to cashless payments by 2026, emphasising the importance of embracing technology to modernise public transport and improve safety. This directive aligns with national efforts to create a more efficient and secure transport ecosystem.
Going cashless has never been easier thanks to Waxd Solution helping mini bus taxis go Cashless with their AFC (Automatic Fare Collection) System. The company officially launched a project in Swartruggens near Rustenburg, in partnership with Botransa and it has been highly successful for all parties involved.
“Going cashless is a crucial step in modernising our transport system and ensuring the safety of both drivers and commuters. Our cashless system ensures swift, secure, and seamless transactions, allowing drivers to focus on what truly matters. Phase 1 of this particular project has been running since November 2024 and we look forward to experiencing the same success rate when we launch phase 2 in the near future,” explains Anthony Stewart, Group CEO of Waxd.
And the drivers concur about seeing the positive effects of the project. Some of their benefits being better job security, not counting cash while driving and never having issues with change.
As for the Taxi Owners, this quote best sums it up: “As a taxi owner, now I can sleep at night because I don’t have to worry about collecting my money,” says Tshego Mangole, Taxi Owner and Botransa Executive.
A project of this nature is not without its challenges, as plenty of other companies have tried and been unsuccessful in implementation. What makes Waxd Cashless Solution for Taxis different is that despite experiencing similar challenges particularly around adoption, the company has taken on board the feedback, grown and further improved their offering into a working and viable implementation with direct input from the taxi industry.
A core factor of their success so far has come from the realisation that a solution and system of this nature will only succeed if it benefits all players, including drivers, commuters, owners, taxi associations, local businesses supporting the taxi industry.
Some benefits include:
- Enhanced safety for all – by eliminating cash transactions, drivers no longer become crime targets, making public transport safer for all. Digital payments also offer safer transactions, eliminating disputes over missing cash or incorrect change
- Convenience and Efficiency – cashless payments mean instant transactions which ultimately leads to quicker boarding times and shorter waiting periods. Drivers can serve more customers in day as well, as they are moving through drops offs and picks up quicker, which also leads to increase in revenue potential.
- Financial Transparency and Growth – digital transactions allow drivers and operators to better track income and expenses, allowing for quick identification of irregularities. In addition, this digital financial history could open doors for access to financial services such as credit and loans, helping to professionalise the industry and support economic growth.
- Happier Commuters – being cashless means commuters don’t have to worry about having the exact physical cash and change for their trip, just tap and go. It also minimises contact with cash, which reduces the spread of germs, making cashless a healthier option too.
The South African taxi industry is on the brink of a major transformation. The transition to a cashless taxi industry is not just an option but a necessary step towards a safer, more efficient, and financially sustainable future for South Africa’s transport sector. Waxd is committed to making this happen by partnering and working with important players in the taxi industry, the National Department of Transport (NDOT), governing taxi bodies, local municipalities (Rustenburg Local Municipality is one such example) and as well as payments companies.
“Waxd has its eyes fixed on a successful future of the taxi industry – ensuring it goes cashless. We are excited to be leading the movement towards a smarter, more efficient transportation solution for all. It truly is a case of innovation meets convenience in urban transportation,” concludes Stewart.
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