Cape Town’s taxi industry is preparing for a major change from 1 June, when the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association will launch a new cashless payment system for commuters. Instead of paying with notes and coins, passengers will use cards that will be scanned when they get into taxis.

Codeta chairperson Nceba Enge said the move is not only about modernising payments, but also about improving commuter safety. He said the system is meant to reduce the risks people face when travelling to and from work, especially when carrying cash in the early morning or late afternoon.

The plan marks a notable shift in an industry where cash has long been the default. If it works smoothly, it could change how thousands of Capetonians move through the city each day.

Cards and cameras form part of the rollout

Enge said the new card system will be supported by cameras installed inside taxis. The aim is to improve accountability and strengthen safety inside vehicles. That suggests Codeta wants the rollout to do more than speed up payments. It also wants to address long-standing commuter concerns around crime, monitoring and conduct inside taxis. That is an inference based on Codeta’s stated safety goals and the inclusion of onboard cameras.

Still, Enge acknowledged that the transition may not be seamless. New technology often brings teething problems, and the taxi industry is unlikely to be any different. Scanning issues, equipment failures and confusion among passengers could all create early friction.

Commuters split over new system

Some commuters have welcomed the idea. Taxi passenger Esethu Saliwa said the move was a positive step because similar systems are already used in other parts of public transport. At the same time, she warned that drivers would need patience if devices failed to scan properly.

Others are less convinced. Commuter Ayanda Maboyana said she expects more challenges and would prefer taxis to keep accepting cash. That hesitation reflects a broader truth about public transport changes: convenience matters, but trust matters too.

June launch will test commuter confidence

The real test will come after launch day. Codeta has set an ambitious date and attached it to a promise of safer, more accountable travel. But for commuters, success will depend on whether the system is reliable, easy to use and fair in practice.

If the rollout works, Cape Town could become a key test case for a more digital taxi industry. If it stumbles, resistance from commuters may harden quickly. Either way, 1 June is set to be a significant moment for one of the city’s busiest transport systems.