Workshops aim to clean up taxi industry image
The taxi industry aims to project a more appealing image to its customers by sending drivers on workshops, where they will be taught the basics of service provision and customer relations.
The President of the South African National Taxi Council, Jabulani Mthembu, said the drafting of the plan was nearing completion and that it might be unveiled in February. Taxi bosses hope that the plan will help create a better image of the industry, which has been associated with unpleasant service levels and violence.
The council is the national representative body of the taxi industry, to which provincial taxi councils are affiliated.
'After such a long period in the wilderness, we now realise that we have to shape up'
"We acknowledge that when it comes to customer service, taxi operators (drivers) would not feature highly on the preferred list by commuters, and we need to change this image," said Mthembu.
"Operators are the face of the industry. Owners may be well-behaved individuals, but that counts for nothing to commuters if drivers are not treating them pleasantly," he said.
Also planned is a customer complaints line, where passengers will be able to record their experiences of unpleasant service.
"After such a long period in the wilderness, we now realise that we have to shape up and provide something that meets standards of excellence," said Mthembu.
