Question NW604 to the Minister of Transport
04 June 2020 - NW604
Chabangu, Mr M to ask the Minister of Transport
What measures has his department put in place to give relief to (a) taxi and (b) bus drivers to ensure that they still have income to feed their families during the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19?
Reply:
a) The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected many small businesses and most of them are struggling to stay afloat because they either cannot operate under the lockdown or the volume of their output has diminished substantially. In this regard, government has established multiple relief funds under the Department of Small Business Development (and its entities) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (and its entities) aimed at providing financial relief and assistance to businesses in distress. The Department of Transport has been encouraging the unsubsidized small bus operators to approach these schemes for relief.
b) As announced by government, employers who cannot pay their employees during the lockdown can apply to access financial assistance from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) through the Covid-19 Temporary Employer Employee Relief Scheme. This will apply to public transport operators who contribute to the UIF.
c) A Relief scheme for taxis is also under consideration and discussions by the National Treasury.