Minibus taxis’ cash system makes industry a sitting duck in Covid-19 pandemic

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An estimated 15-million passengers handle banknotes and coins in its vehicles daily

On a recent minibus taxi ride through central Johannesburg it was hard to miss the irony of commuters getting engrossed in the digital world of smartphone apps while remaining firmly ensconced in a world of cash-only payments, long queues and poor customer service.

The risk posed by handling a polymer note is “no greater than touching any other common surface such as handrails, doorknobs or credit cards”, as the Bank of England was recently quoted as saying. Try telling that to those at the coalface — the owners and drivers who at day’s end have to manually sort and count all the banknotes and coins. Sitting on a bed and counting the day’s takings is how some owners apprentice their young heirs into the business.

To help them transition to the new dispensation, drivers must be formally employed and properly incentivised Persisting with this model means any attempt at introducing electronic payments will be actively undermined by drivers as it will bring transparency to their earnings. To help them transition to the new dispensation, drivers must be formally employed and properly incentivised.

 

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