End of the road for Quantum taxis
Toyota Quantum panel vans that have been converted into taxis will be entirely outlawed from February 2023, with those not voluntarily surrendered to the scrap yard facing being impounded, reports Business Insider.
More than 15 years after the Department of Transport became aware of the panel vans being used to ferry passengers, a final deadline has been set.
The issue was brought to SA's Public Protector a decade ago by former taxi finance manager turned whistle-blower Hennie de Beer.
These illegal conversions, De Beer alleged, were structurally defective and led to deadly accidents.
The scrapping of some of these vans has been already been done through the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme.
Owners are paid R141 000 per minibus taxi vehicle offered to the scrap yard.
‘The owner of an illegally converted Toyota panel van must have an operating licence or permit linked to the vehicle and also in the owner's name to qualify for a scrapping allowance,’ noted the Government Gazette.
‘Illegally converted Toyota panel vans as fully described in this notice must be surrendered for scrapping at the Taxi Recapitalisation South Africa, by 31 January 2023.’
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
