Drivers of Cape Town's iconic white taxis fear that a new Integrated Rapid Transit System will drive them off the road.

 
The IRT is designed to provide an efficient system that will transport 2010 World Cup soccer fans from airports, hotels and stadiums across South Africa. The project will enable the travelling public to connect from feeder buses to trains and taxis using one ticket. But taxi drivers believe that those without the money to buy new taxis or the right political connections will be denied licenses to operate.

 
The General Secretary of the taxi drivers union SANTACO in the Western Cape says his members recognise the need for change.  But Henry Arthur Williams claims that Cape Town City Council is keeping his members in the dark about how the system will work in practice. Many fear that they will be restricted from working the routes they have been operating for years.  Mr Williams believes that "discrimination in apartheid is still there economically."

 
However, Cape Town's Executive Director Mike Marsden disagrees.  He says he recognises the important role that the taxi drivers have played over the years and although some will no longer drive taxis, the IRT will create many new jobs as well. He promises that legal taxi drivers who have to give up their mini buses will be compensated.
 

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Photo: Hugo Koops