Taxi queue marshals - The smooth operators

Have you ever wondered who the men are that are running after the taxi before it drops you off at the station or the men that ask you where you are heading and whether you know where to catch the taxis that you are looking for? Well, those are the men that direct the commuters to the correct taxis and make sure that you do not get lost and get caught up with all of the commotion and chaos at the taxi ranks, formally known as the queue marshals.

The taxi smooth operators: taxi queue marshals at the Bosman taxi rank, Pretoria

 

 Queue Marshals play an extraordinary role at the taxi ranks, yes it might not seem as  a standard position that requires much training or qualifications but it allows for the smooth running of both commuters and taxi drivers. They are hardly noticed nor are they taken seriously by the public but their impeccable presence would be missed if they were to be removed from the taxi ranks.

 Smart taxi ranks understands that queue marshals need formal training on quality customer service and conduct. Mainly focusing on how to receive customers and usher them around in the taxi ranks. Not forgetting that customer service goes hand in hand with the choice of words, language and tone that queue marshals should use when communicating with customers, which needs to change to a more formal approach rather than them intimidating customers and being too forward.

 Queue marshals need uniforms that can give them an image that is acceptable and accepting in the eyes of the customers. Generally an appearance that could best sell them as people in business for the interest of commuters and that can help erase the current perception of who they are and their industry at large.

 If they were to excel in these areas of improvement maybe the public might start to notice them in a different light and at the end of the day this is a job that enables queue marshals to feed their families, educate their children and to make a living. 

Women taxi drivers in the taxi industry

They say is a male dominated industry. Women disagree; it has been found that there are a lot of female taxi drivers in the same industry. Women still show that they can do a man’s job. It is difficult for them to fit in because commuters tend not trust women drivers simply because they have a certain perception about male drivers.

Mother of two, Penny Tinise, defies stereotypes in a male dominated taxi industry http://bit.ly/1Vhusl1

 During this women’s month they still show that they got what it takes to be the same as their counterparts which are males. They say a women’s place is in the kitchen but these individual women disagree (women empowerment). A lot of female commuters get inspired by women who drive taxis.

Regardless of the challenges that female drivers face they still find the taxi industry to be a very interesting industry. “There is a lot of money they say” they can be able to take care of their families through the work that they do and love which is of driving taxis. “Wa thinta a bafazi wa thinta i mbokoto” meaning you strike a woman you strike a rock indeed these women show that women are the same as men regardless of gender issues and what society tells them.

Our local female taxi drivers encourage other women to join the taxi industry this eliminate socioeconomic issues such as poverty and unemployment. The more women see the taxi industry as an opportunity to aliviate poverty and employment the better the society becomes.

Women In charge

Long ago before you and I were born, women were only required to serve men and bare them children. A sad time indeed but many women took pride in that role. Silently, without a voice or a say women enjoyed their everyday duties and made the best of them to ensure that everything in the house ran smoothly.

A time where men were in charge of everything and their voice was regarded to be more superior and much more important than a woman’s. A sad time indeed but women remained submissive and obedient towards men to ensure a successful running of the household.

                      http://bit.ly/1JzMyug

 

Now time has changed, whereby women are given a platform to voice out their concerns, worries and anything that makes them feel uncomfortable and uncertain. A platform for women to be whatever they want to be, to pursue any career they feel comfortable in and to be an independent, strong woman.

Female taxi drivers are causing a major stir and confusion amongst men in the taxi industry. Some are threatened by the fact that woman are capable of matching up to standards or requirements that are needed for one to be a taxi driver. Male taxi drivers feel that they are now placed in a position to compete with women even in the workplace, which makes them feel uncomfortable and a little infuriated with the thought that women power is starting to dominate different industries that were associated to being “manly jobs”.

Not only is it affecting taxi drivers but it is also affecting commuters. Both female and male commuters are a little taken off /back by the idea (apprehensive) whilst others are excited and are celebrating the change because now Commuters may start to feel less stressed and much safer on the road when driven by a female taxi driver.

How is it affecting commuters? and how can we change that?

It is high time that the taxi industry appreciates and respects women instead of them undermining and scrutinising women’s rights (outrage over attack on miniskirt-wearing woman). Women have the right to be employed as taxi drivers who are competent, hardworking and committed to their daily activities.

How can we educate

Yes change does not happen overnight, it is the process of educating, learning and communicating that will ensure the proper translations, transformation and acceptance of change in the taxi industry.   

Smart Taxi Rank reaching out for Mandela Day

                     

Smart Taxi Rank at Help Us Day Care

 

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead” – Nelson Mandela 

Nelson Mandela lived his life in service of others; he valued and dedicated his time to serve as a humanitarian. Mandela Day is more than celebrating Madiba’s life and legacy, it is about serving without expectation; to try make the world a better place for all. The initiative behind 67 min for Mandela day was inspired by nelson Mandela at his 90^th birthday celebration in Hyde Park 2008.  He said “it is time for new hands to lift the burdens of others. It is in your hands now”. On 18 July 2009 on Nelson Mandela’s birthday 67 min Mandela day was launched in recognition of the life of the legend. The message behind this day is simple, take responsibility and serve those who are in need the most.

source: plus.google.com edited by: Howard Mosia

 

Smart Taxi Rank reached out by visiting Help us day care centre in Hilbrow to give their 67 min in spirit of Mandela Day. Help us day care was found in 2006 by Principal Kgomotso Nchabeleng with help of 3 teachers. Help us day care take children from the age of 3 months to 6 years and it is divided in 3 groups. The monthly contribution from parents at Help us day care is R430 which covers groceries, teachers salary, maintenances and equipment needed for learning. 

Make every day a Mandela Day by giving your time to those in need.  Take Action. Inspire Change. Donate anything to help put a smile on Help Us Day Care children smarttaxirankc@gmail.com

 

Created by: Howard Mosia       Edited  by: Busisiwe Solatsho

 

 



The benefits of having digitized stations/ranks

Technology is applied to the roles each individual fulfills during life. We use technology on a daily basis to accomplish specific tasks or interests therefore technology helps makes things much easier and quicker.

Imagine how the world would be with Wifi access in the ranks and witching our transport services. Modern Technology increases human capabilities and this technology has evolved with years. What used to work before, might not be working now. Crime is the most effective challenge in the modern society , with digitized and modernizing  stations commuters get more safe than having to ask for directions from strangers within the station/rank.

smarttaxirank:http://bit.ly/1HXmhHn

Let us look at a simple example in Transportation technology, this technology has developed gradually with years, we used to use steam powered trains now those have been replaced by electronic. ABSA has launched new unlimited free Internet connectivity in Johannesburg which is available in 50 taxis across Johannesburg. It allows commuters to download digital content and earn points through their mobile (points can also to transformed to free data).

The unlimited uncapped wifi allows commuters to browse the Internet and download digital content onto their devices, such as without consuming any of their own data.

Things would be much faster (instant gratification), safe and secured if the stations or ranks get digitized and modernized and this as a result will decrease the level of crime and violence. Don't you want to ride a taxi to work, home or any destination with free uncapped Wi-Fi? I believe there would be plenty of benefits of having digitized station/ranks.

The effects of Xenophobia in South African local businesses

Xenophobia is more than just violent attacks on people of different nationalities. It affects a nation socially, politically and economically. With Eskoms crisis affecting South Africa’s economy, clearly xenophobia has affected our economy, especially in the tourism industry.

At least seven people have been killed in the violence of xenophobic attacks in SAOver thousands of immigrants were highly forced to return back to their homes, says Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mzwandile Masina “xenophobic attacks has cost the country billion of rands in exporting foreign revenues”.

Xenophobic attacks have affected the operational services of various southern African brand names operating across southern Africa such as Old Mutual, Shoprite, Standard Bank, MTN telecommunications group and Nedbank. During the crisis of xenophobic violence, about 200 people in Mozambique briefly blocked the main boarder and threw rocks at South African vehicles as a form of fighting back. This issue has affected most sectors in South African local businesses, Unions and transport sectors.

Immigrants protest against xenophobic violence:

 http://bit.ly/1EX1rjJ

Transport services in South Africa have contributed to the country’s economy by developing and improving service delivery in the country. Oil is produced and supplied by African countries, if xenophobic violence continues, it will affect the country with transport service delivery and tourism sectors in South Africa. Will xenophobia create war within African countries? One of the influential Zimbabwe National Students Union president Gilbert Mutubuki gathered all youth to attack local South African business. Violence is not the language of unity nor peace but hate.

If the violence does not end, it will be an end of African unity, sponsors and investors in South Africa will lose their steak meaning businesses will lose profit which in results affects the country’s economy. South African government and organisations have taken action against xenophobic violence through awareness campaigns on social media platforms such as #NoToXenophobia. Let us not fight as African brothers and sisters, let us restore the dignity of Ubuntu. Africa is for Africans.

The Birth of the Taxi Industry

In the 1970 during a dynamic time in South African politics the taxi industry was born. Blacks from rural areas due to industrialisation came to seek greener pastures in the city of gold. The industry was born because of the demand of transport to accommodate the urban growing work force. The land Act of 1913 enforced by the apartheid regime, is the reason why taxi’s exist today as a mode of public transport. The birth of this industry provided jobs and business opportunities for the urban poor.

Smart taxi rank: http://bit.ly/1ICnJOS

The dynamic industry up to date provides the most available, affordable and consistent services to the majority of commuters in South Africa. Statistics shows that 14 million commuter’s uses taxi's as means of transport each day. Taxis have been in the transport industry for many years, today 83% out of 100% transport service is provided by the minibus (taxi).

If systems or organisations do not adapt they perish, meaning if the taxi industry do not move with times in terms of digitisation, cleanliness and safety at their work place, as a minibus industry they will reach extinction. Let us not duplicate other countries but preserve the culture of our taxi industry.