Taxi associations in Rustenburg, North West, took to the streets on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, in a peaceful march to the Rustenburg Local Municipality offices. The protest centres on proposed national budget cuts that operators say threaten the future of the Yarona Rapid Transport project.

The Rustenburg Taxi Negotiations Forum (TNF), which represents nine taxi associations involved in the project since 2014, organised the action. Organisers stressed the march is not a full transport shutdown and will not disrupt business or commuters’ ability to travel to work.

Taxi Associations Demand Consultation on Yarona Rapid Transport

The TNF says cuts to the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) from the National Department of Transport and National Treasury put the partially operational Yarona Rapid Transport system at serious risk. The forum argues the reductions follow more than a decade of good-faith partnership between the taxi industry and government.

TNF spokesperson statements, carried in local media briefings, describe the approach as “unilateral” and call for immediate engagement, full accountability, and protection of the project that already serves an estimated 20 000 passengers daily.

Long-Delayed Project Faces Fresh Uncertainty

The Yarona Rapid Transport (also known as Rustenburg Rapid Transport or RRT) broke ground in 2012 after planning began around 2009–2011. Authorities originally budgeted the project at under R3 billion and aimed for full operations by 2015–2021.

More than R3.9 billion has been spent to date, yet the system remains incomplete after 14 years. Phases 1A (Tlhabane to Rustenburg CBD) and 1C (CBD and Waterfall Mall area) are active, while Phase 1B (Boitekong/Meriting corridors) is under way. Phase 2 has not started, leaving operators in areas such as Kanana, Zinniaville and parts of Phokeng still waiting to participate.

National Treasury announced R8.4 billion in cuts to bus rapid transit funding over three years as part of the 2026 national budget, shifting priority toward rail projects. Rustenburg’s mayor has previously linked such cuts to slowed progress on remaining stations and infrastructure.

Background, Implications and Calls for Accountability

The Yarona Rapid Transport project was designed as an integrated public transport solution branded “Yarona” (Setswana for “It is ours”). It aimed to serve 80 % of Rustenburg’s municipal area and carry over 200 000 passengers daily once complete. Taxi associations formed a Vehicle Operating Company to run the system, integrating minibus operators into the new network.

Repeated delays, cost overruns and incomplete stations have drawn criticism from residents and opposition parties for years. The taxi industry’s early support and ongoing operation of current phases make the current funding uncertainty particularly sensitive for operators and daily commuters.

The TNF has handed over a memorandum of demands to the Rustenburg Local Municipality executive mayor during today’s march. The forum continues to call for urgent talks with both local and national government.