Traffic cops impound 30 Bolt quadricycles in Johannesburg
The Gauteng Traffic Police have impounded roughly 30 Bajaj Qute vehicles in Johannesburg, which were likely used to operate Bolt’s recently-launched Lite service, Newzroom Afrika reports.
Bolt drivers first started offering rides in Qutes on the Lite service in Randburg, Parktown, Melville, Linden, Braamfontein, and Rosebank a few weeks ago.
The cheaper option has an effective cost of R10 per kilometre, which MyBroadband found was about 18-26% cheaper than the e-hailing service’s other options on one route.
However, according to Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane, none of the drivers operating people carrying services in Qute vehicles in Johannesburg that were approached by officers were able to produce taxi operating licences.
“From Friday last week until Tuesday, 17 of these vehicles were impounded,” Maremane said.
“Not a single vehicle that we have impounded has actually tried to apply for operating licences. This has the potential to endanger the lives of other road users and spark taxi violence.”
Although the vehicles themselves were legally registered, Maremane said they required operating licences to transport members of the public.
“Generally, we found them to be roadworthy; the only challenging problem is the fact that they are not in possession of operating licences,” Maremane said.
Bajaj Qutes prepared for impounding in Johannesburg.
As it stands, Uber and Bolt drivers are required to have an operating licence that falls under a sub-category of metered taxi services, because there is currently no provision in law for e-hailing services.
Several of the drivers simply abandoned their vehicles next to the road after traffic enforcement officials raised the issue.
Maremane said that some of them told the traffic officers the quadricycles were provided to them through a certain company, but they could not reveal its name.
However, the impounding of such a large number of Qutes comes just weeks after Bolt first started offering the Lite service — which only uses this model.
Bolt regional manager for East and Southern Africa, Takura Malaba, previously told MyBroadband that the category provides more options for passengers in price-sensitive times. It also enables drivers to meet the demand for shorter-distance trips.
However, Malaba stressed that the R10 price-per-kilometre was not a threat to other modes of transport — like minibus taxis, buses, or trains.
“Our pricing per kilometre is more than double the price [of those services],” Malaba said.
The petite Qute features a 216cc (0.21-litre) single-cylinder engine that produces just 9.7kW of power and 18.9Nm torque. This gives it a top speed of 70km/h.
The vehicle is classified as a quadricycle or “microcar” due to its low weight, engine power, and speed limits.
It is unclear if the driver of a vehicle that is not considered a true car also requires a taxi operating licence under South African law.
Bajaj Qute interior
Malaba said although Bajaj vehicles were compact, they were licensed to drive on all South African roads, including highways.
“The areas where these vehicles currently operate do not allow for high speeds, and these vehicles are ideal for shorter distances that enable passengers to achieve their first mile and last mile objectives,” Malaba stated.
With a price tag of just R85,000 or a weekly rent-to-buy cost of R650, the Qute offers an opportunity for people to work in the e-hailing services industry if they cannot afford a conventional approved hatchback or sedan.
What’s very curious about the impounding is that the Lite rollout was done in collaboration with the Gauteng Government’s Economic Development Department.
NewzRoom Afrika interview with Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson
Update at 15:55 — Bolt responds
Subsequent to the publication of this article, Bolt provided a response to MyBroadband over the issue.
Malaba said Bolt was aware that traffic officials decided to impound a number of ride-hailing vehicles in Johannesburg.
“This action was unexpected for us, and drivers have not been presented with an official reason for the impound,” Malaba said. “We are currently engaging with the local authorities to resolve this situation.”
Malaba said that Bajaj vehicles were licensed to operate in South Africa and on South African roads.
“They are designated as compact quadricycles, and are aimed at intra-city transportation, or ‘last mile transportation’,” Malaba stated.
“The Bajaj is eligible to run on all South African roads, and is National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) approved, which was approved in 2017.”
“There has been no reason since 2017 that has required the NRCS to direct that these vehicles should not operate on South African roads.”
In addition to the NRCS approval, Malaba said the Qute had undergone a standard vehicle licensing process and had been issued with number plates after a registration process with the Gauteng Transport and Logistics department.
“These vehicles have been registered on the electronic National Administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS) and have Gauteng (GP) license plates as well,” he added.
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