Issues at Stake: Finding your religion on the commuter hell run

FOR the hundreds of thousands of voiceless and powerless taxi and bus commuters subjected daily to terror-filled hell runs to work and home, there appears to be no relief in sight in terms of safe, stress-free travel.

Responsible authorities are seemingly powerless and clueless about getting to grips with the ongoing public transport mayhem that leaves scores dead and limbs strewn across our roads – such as the recent taxi-bus crash on the R102 in which nine perished.

Their only response appears to be visits to accident sites, hospitals and grocery hand-outs to surviving family members, followed by feeble promises of action plans smothered in vagueness.

Its called public relations.

But more practical steps need to be taken as the death toll continues to rise and maimed passengers fill the hospitals.

It is time for decision makers to apply their minds and implement practical solutions instead of singing hand-wringing mantras of sincere devotion to serving the people to the ‘best of our abilities’.

So here’s a radical suggestion for them.

Lock away the SUVs and join the commuters for say a few months. Pass a temporary Parliamentary Act if that is what it will take to force the decision makers to do so.

What better way for the movers and shakers to experience first hand and fully understand the severity of the dilemma fearful commuters face every single day, being shuttled like cattle at breakneck speeds in often dilapidated vehicles held together by duct tape, wire and string by maniacal drivers with no inkling of their responsibilities of safely transporting mothers, fathers and children to their destinations.

Wild rides
Surely being forced to take a ride on the wild side for a good period of time, crammed in the back of taxis humming ‘Nearer my God to Thee’ with the rest of their wide-eyed fellow travellers, will do wonders in helping the decision makers to again find their religion and prompt more decisive action.

They know what to do. Come down hard on taxi and bus owners who turn a blind eye to unroadworthy vehicles and reckless drivers. Confiscate vehicles and withdraw permits – permanently. Prosecute those who blatantly put a stamp of approval on unroadworthy vehicles, effectively signing a death warrant for innocent commuters.

The existing attitude of profits before people cannot be tolerated and the public demand that the politicians and traffic officials for once take ownership and implement ruthless measures to bring the transport owners to heel.

This must also apply to the road maintenance sector where those in charge should be held accountable for the many deaths caused by their lack of performance.

Taking strong-arm action against especially the taxi ‘mafia’ will, of course, have serious consequences as they are a law upon themselves.

That is what the transport minister must decide. Who rules the country – the profit makers or the public protectors?