WORLDWIDE TAXI FOCUS from South Africa
DRIVER FLEES AFTER TAXI PLUNGES OFF BRIDGE, INJURING 20 CHILDREN
A driver is on the run after a minibus taxi veered off a bridge in KwaZulu-Natal, injur- ing 20 schoolchildren. The incident occurred on Monday morning 15 September, when the taxi plummeted several metres from the KwaKhetha Bridge on the P127 leaving families in shock and communities calling for urgent action on road safety. Paramedics arrived fast, working hard to free the trapped kids and give first aid right there. Some learners had cuts, broken bones, and head injuries, with a few in serious shape. They were loaded into ambulances and rushed to hospital. This is the third such accident in the Umgungundlovu District in just four days. The province is still recovering from a tragic crash the previous Thursday where four pupils died and several were injured after a taxi’s brakes allegedly failed, causing it to plough into a crèche. The MEC for Transport has called on the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) to address the high rate of accidents involving taxi associations. He highlighted grim statistics, noting: “The Automobile Association estimates 70,000 minibus taxi crashes annually, with taxis experiencing double the crash rate of other passenger vehicles.”
from Greece
GREEK CABBIES LAUNCH 48-HOUR STRIKE, PARALYSING ATHENS
Taxi drivers across Greece began a 48-hour strike at 6am on 8 September, protesting a new government measure they claim threatens their livelihood. The strike, organised by the Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union (SATA), is described as a “warning” and could be extended if the government does not reverse its decision.
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The drivers are specifically protesting a new ministerial measure that allows vans to be used for passenger transport services. The union argues that this regulation favours “large companies and multinational platforms at the expense of self-employed taxi drivers.” SATA president, Thymios Lyberopoulos, accused the government of “undermining” the taxi sector for six years and siding with “cartels and business interests.” In its official announcement, SATA called the new regulation “unacceptable and destructive.” The union’s demands include the immediate withdrawal of the new decision, an end to what it calls “unfair advantages for multinationals and digital platforms,” and the protection of professional taxi drivers. The union is also calling for fair taxation and a solution to other long-standing industry problems.
from Japan
HYDROGEN-POWERED FUTURE FOR TOKYO WITH NEW TAXI FLEET
Tokyo Metropolitan Government & Toyota Motor Corporation have launched the TOKYO H2 Project, an initiative to establish the city as a global hub for hydrogen technology. The project, announced on September 3, centres on integrating hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) into the city’s taxi fleet. Toyota has begun introducing its Crown FCEV into Tokyo’s taxi ranks, with a target of 200 vehicles by fiscal year 2025 and an ultimate goal of 600 hydrogen cabs by 2030. The partnership goes beyond simply deploying cars, as it includes funding for new fuelling stations, mobile refuelling trucks, public surveys, and real-time availability dashboards to “demystify hydrogen.” Toyota sees the initiative as an opportunity to showcase its leadership in hydrogen fuel cells and as a “living testbed” for strengthening supply chains and building global expertise. A critical component of the project is the development of a robust hydrogen infrastructure - new fuelling stations are being built across central Tokyo, and mobile hydrogen trailers are on standby to support the growing fleet.
OCTOBER 2025 PHTM
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