• Taxis in the Western Cape are getting a major technological upgrade thanks to a massive partnership.
• Startup Quickloc8 will now see its suite of digital innovations onboard all SANTACO-affiliated taxis in the province.
• The move represents the first step in a potentially nationwide digitalisation of the taxi industry.

In what is likely the most important move towards the digitalisation of taxis in South Africa, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) of the Western Cape have signed an agreement with Cape Town-based startup Quickloc8 which will see the startup’s digital tech installed aboard taxis across the province.

Quickloc8 – pronounced “Quick Locate” – offers a suite of digital tech aimed at making taxis more profitable for taxi owners and safer for drivers and passengers. This includes tech that assists with route analysis, risk mitigation and more, all accessible on the taxi owner’s smartphone via app.

The partnership was struck following recent bouts of taxi strikes and related violence which is believed to have cost the province’s economy more than R5 billion. The startup says it now will help SANTACO implement “a smooth and effective integration of the new technology into daily operations” and make a nice share of the profits for its troubles.

“SANTACO Western Cape, with its extensive grassroots network, will play a vital role in facilitating the widespread rollout and adoption of the Quickloc8 platform across its membership,” the announcement reads.

These new technologies to upgrade taxis in the Western Cape

With the agreement, Quickloc8 has the potential to reach the 123 000 taxis across the province affiliated with the council, impacting millions of South Africans.

“This partnership with Quickloc8 represents a significant step forward for our members and the communities we serve,” said Mandla Hermanus, Provincial Chairperson of the Western Cape branch of the national taxi body.

“We recognise the importance of embracing innovation to not only modernise our operations but also to contribute to a more stable and harmonious working environment within the industry. Quickloc8’s technology aligns perfectly with our vision for a safer, more efficient, and ultimately more peaceful future for the taxi industry in the Western Cape.”

One of Quickloc8’s solutions sees AI-enabled cameras installed in the interior of taxis, that can see how many passengers a taxi has in a single route, automatically tallying up the fares ensuring taxi drivers are compliant with conditions set by taxi owners.

It also ensures that both passengers and drivers treat each other well, increasing safety in the taxi. For example, it is not permitted by SANTACO-affiliated taxi drivers to verbally or physically assault passengers, which could lead to termination of the driver.

Quickloc8’s onboard cameras will facilitate this, providing AI-enabled tracking and notifications directly to the smartphones of taxi owners. The agreement will also see Quickloc8 provide technical expertise and training to drivers.

Safer, more reliable transport through digitalisation

According to Mbavhalelo Mabogo, CEO of Quickloc8, who spoke to Hypertext last year, the technology allows for the up-to-the-second tracking of taxis, so taxi bosses can make sure drivers are being safe on the roads and adhering to regulations, times and routes.

“Recent events have underscored the urgent need for solutions that can enhance operational stability and contribute to a more peaceful environment,” he said.

“We firmly believe that our technology can serve as a vital instrument in achieving these goals, alongside improving the overall efficiency and sustainability of the industry. This partnership with Santaco Western Cape is a powerful step in that direction.”

“We are deeply committed to supporting the Western Cape’s taxi industry in building a more secure and efficient future,” added Mabogo.

This a massive breakthrough for Quickloc8, which was as of last year approaching individual taxi owners with its suite of technology. Mabogo told us his company was struggling to get taxi owners to embrace new technologies. Now, this agreement will see Quickloc8’s innovations on board every SANTACO member taxi in the province.

An enormous victory for the startup, which will likely seek to go country-wide as its next step. A move that will change South Africa’s most-used mode of public transport.