Passengers catching a taxi from Alexandra to other destinations will also be affected by increases, which are set to kick in on June 15.

But the organisations implementing these steep fare increases – namely, the Taxi Association (Armsta) and the Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA) – say they have no choice but to take this extreme measure, as it is the only way to remain operational.

They cite the current national lockdown regulations, which limit taxis to carrying 70% of their passenger capacity, along with government’s failure to provide relief for the industry and the recent petrol price increase – which came about after several petrol price decreases – as reasons for the fare adjustments.

John Mnisi, a member of Armsta’s executive committee, echoed these sentiments, saying the 70% maximum passenger load was making it too difficult for taxis to sustain operations.

In a letter sent to members this week, the two associations wrote of their intention to increase current taxi fares from Alexandra to destinations “across the board”, including the Johannesburg CBD, Sandton and Midrand, on June 15.