South African Tuk Tuks on a Collision Course With the Law

Tuk Tuks are taking to the roads in car-crazy South Africa, thanks to entrepreneurs inspired by the three-wheel taxis from Asia. But they've already found themselves on a collision course with the law.

Published

2 months ago

Categories

World, Technology

Topics

Africa, Vehicles & Transportation

People

Robin Carlisle

Places

South Africa, Cape Town

Companies

Monarch Tuksi Company

Transcript

SCRIPT: It was a dream to bring tuk tuks from the congested Asian cities of Delhi and Dhaka... to the scenic streets of Cape Town. Enterprising brothers James and Daniel Clarence launched their business last December, after an idea sparked by a holiday. They bought a fleet of 20 tuk tuks, and founded the Monarch Tuksi Company. SOUNDBITE 1: James Clarence (man), founder, Monarch Tuksi Company (English, 13 sec) "We were inspired on a trip to Thailand in 2008. We used tuk tuks there, we loved them, we went to the beach, to shops, to restaurants etcetera. Really loved it. Thought it would work great in Cape Town and, it does." These cheap and colourful taxis proved popular with passengers. But they were set on a collision course with the law. According to Cape Town's authorities, tuk tuks don't fit into the city's public transport plan, which is why they refused to grant licences. SOUNDBITE 2: Robin Carlisle (man), Provincial Minister for Transport and Public Works (English, 13 sec) "They have to take that business proposition to the council. Council has to look at it. Council has to make a proposal to us in the province and together we have to make a decision on it." Not wanting to wait for approval, the tuk tuk brothers tried to side step the law. Instead of selling fares, they sold their passengers shares in the business, at the cost of 4 dollars a ride. SOUNDBITE 3: James Clarence (man), founder, Monarch Tuksi Company (English, 10 sec) "Our opinion is that we do not form part of the public transport service. We are a private transport company. We transfer our shareholders from point A to point B." It was a technicality that worked -- short term. Now they've been told they acted illegally, and need to get off the road. Tuk tuks have run into similar problems in Johannesburg. A separate company started a service in the city's leafy suburbs last year. Although the tuk tuks were granted licences, there's debate about whether they'll be able to keep them. SOUNDBITE 4: Paul Browning (man), public transport analyst (English, 16 sec) "Tuk tuks are causing a stir because government is afraid that there may be a repeat of what happened with our minibus taxis. They grew very rapidly and somewhat out of control and the result has been turf wars and violence and many, many deaths." Tuk tuk operators say that fear is unfounded. But it will take a lot of Indian-style bartering to get the approval they need, to bring a flavour of the East to the rather more regulated roads of South Africa. ------------- SHOTLIST: **MUSIC: Bollywood Boulevard, composed by David Hamilton. Purchased with a commercial licence from SMARTassMusic. Permitted for international broadcast and internet use.** CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, 7 MARCH 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - Tuk tuk driving past Table Mountain - CU wheels - Pan, tuk tuk to view of Cape Town - James and Daniel Clarence at tuk tuk depot - CU Daniel Clarence - CU James Clarence - Wide, Daniel pushing tuk tuk - CU Daniel applying brake - SOUNDBITE 1: James Clarence (man), founder, Monarch Tuksi Company - Passengers getting into tuk tuk - Driver's point of view - Driver's hands - View through rear window - Driver's point of view - Driver's face - Tuk tuk's windscreen - Tuk tuk's doorway - SOUNDBITE 2: Robin Carlisle (man), Provincial Minister for Transport and Public Works - Tuk tuk pulling over - Sign saying' please complete shareholder register' - Passengers getting out - Passenger signing register and leaving with friend - SOUNDBITE 3: James Clarence (man), founder, Monarch Tuksi Company - Two tuk tuks pulling away from the curb - Driver's point of view JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 10 MARCH 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - Wide, tuk tuk driving down road - Driver's point of view - Driver's hands - Wide, tuk tuk coming to a stop PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 8 MARCH 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - SOUNDBITE 4: Paul Browning (man), public transport analyst JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, JUNE 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - Minibus taxis (x2) JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 10 MARCH 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - Tuk tuk pulling away - Tuk tuk driving along road CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, 7 MARCH 2013, SOURCE: AFPTV - Tuk tuks pulling out into traffic **MUSIC: Bollywood Boulevard, composed by David Hamilton. Purchased with a commercial licence from SMARTassMusic. Permitted for international broadcast and internet use.**