Cape Town’s taxi industry is preparing for a major shift as commuters get ready to swap coins and notes for cards.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Sincerely Media/Unsplash
As reported by IOL, the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) has announced that a new cashless payment system for minibus taxis will officially launch on June 1, marking a significant step towards modernising one of the city’s most widely used transport networks.
Under the new system, passengers will use payment cards that are scanned when boarding taxis, removing the need for cash transactions during trips. The initiative is expected to streamline payments, improve safety for drivers and commuters, and reduce the risks associated with carrying cash.
The move places Cape Town alongside a growing number of cities exploring digital transport solutions as public transport systems continue evolving. Cashless travel is already widely used on services such as MyCiTi, where commuters tap smartcards or contactless payment methods to board buses.
Minibus taxis remain the backbone of daily transport in Cape Town, carrying hundreds of thousands of commuters across the metro every day. The industry plays a critical role in connecting communities, particularly in areas where rail and formal bus services are limited.
The introduction of cashless payments could also help improve operational efficiency within the taxi sector while offering commuters a faster and more convenient boarding experience.
While further details around routes, card distribution and rollout logistics are still expected, the June launch signals another step in the ongoing transformation of Cape Town’s transport landscape.
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