Molebatsi Koatale , Marilie van Wyk, Johanna Manyaapelo
Abstract
The minibus taxi industry remains a cornerstone of public transport in South Africa, yet its transformation through the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP) continues to face systemic challenges. The TRP was introduced to modernise South Africa’s taxi industry by replacing old, unsafe vehicles with newer models. This study aims to assess the challenges faced by the TRP in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district, South Africa, and to propose recommendations for improvement. Using an interpretative, qualitative methodology, the research draws on in-depth interviews with taxi operators, government officials, and taxi association members to uncover the financial, operational, and socio-economic barriers influencing programme outcomes. The study explores how limited access to funding, infrastructure constraints, and inadequate stakeholder engagement shape resistance to change and slow industry modernisation. The findings provide new insights into the localised realities of policy implementation and highlight the need for adaptive, community-based approaches. This work contributes to the discourse on sustainable public transport reform and offers strategic recommendations to improve future iterations of the TRP across similar districts within South Africa.