Travellers at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) may face difficulties securing Uber rides due to an ongoing strike by the Western Cape E-Hailing Association (WCEA).
Story Summary:
- A strike by the Western Cape E-Hailing Association (WCEA) is impacting Uber availability in Cape Town, including Cape Town International Airport.
- Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has issued a notice warning travellers to allow extra time when heading to the airport.
- The WCEA’s grievances include unfair deactivations, high commissions, and unsafe working conditions.
- ACSA advises passengers to use authorised Airport Taxi operators for transportation during the strike.
E-Hailer strike action set to impact Uber availability at Cape Town Airport
The protest, which started on Tuesday, 17 September 2024, is expected to disrupt e-hailing services in and around Cape Town, including one of the busiest transport hubs in South Africa.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has issued a public notice, warning passengers about the possible unavailability of e-hailing vehicles at the airport.
In light of the strike, ACSA has advised travellers to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journey, and utilise authorised Airport Taxi services, which will continue operating throughout the disruption.
“Passengers should allow more time to get to the airport and complete online check-ins prior to arriving,” the company said in its official statement.
ACSA has also encouraged passengers to use airport information desks for assistance with alternative transportation.
WCEA’s key grievances fuelling the strike
The strike by the WCEA, which represents many e-hailing drivers in the region, comes after several long-standing issues have gone unresolved.
According to the association, e-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt have implemented practices that have severely impacted the livelihood and safety of drivers.
Among the WCEA’s primary concerns are:
- Unjust Deactivations: Drivers claim that e-hailing platforms deactivate them without proper reason or the chance for appeal, effectively cutting off their source of income.
- High Commission Fees: The platforms reportedly take up to 30% of the fare, leaving drivers with minimal earnings despite long hours on the road.
- Declining Fares: WCEA members say that ride prices have not increased in line with inflation and rising costs, making it harder to sustain their businesses.
- Vehicle Age Restrictions: Many drivers face the prospect of being removed from the platforms because their cars are no longer within the acceptable age limit, despite still being in good working condition.
- Safety Concerns: Drivers have also raised concerns about their safety, claiming that e-hailing platforms don’t provide adequate support when crimes are committed by passengers.
The association is calling for immediate government regulation to address what they view as exploitation by the e-hailing companies.
“Drivers have endured human rights violations for a decade at the hands of these companies, and it’s time for the government to intervene,” a WCEA spokesperson said.
The Western Cape has long been a key area for both Uber and Bolt operations, especially around the airport and Cape Town’s tourism hotspots.
With the WCEA’s strike, passengers may need to factor in longer wait times or make alternative arrangements for their trips to and from the airport.
