As one of the funders of the SDI Force initiative to help stop the spread of COVID-19 via the taxi industry, Bridge Taxi Finance fully supports the Adopt-a-Safe-Passage to work/school campaign run by the non-profit organisation.
Bridge Taxi Finance and First National Bank are the sole funders of the SDI initiative. Together they have contributed R6 million to the project to be used for the costs involved in making 7 000 Gauteng taxis COVID-compliant and safer for commuters. The aim of the campaign is to put stringent measures in place to decrease the risk of infection in minibus taxis by up to 80%.
No government funding is involved in the project.
Bridge Taxi Finance has previously provided substantial COVID-specific aid to the taxi industry through a number of different financial relief measures.
“The SDI project is part of Bridge Taxi Finance’s commitment of R175 million to safeguard taxi operators, drivers and passengers from the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Bridge Taxi Finance chairperson Vincent Raseroka.
Bridge Taxi Finance has been installing sanitising pumps and gear in all the new vehicles it finances and has retrofitted the vehicles of its existing clients at no cost. The company is also funding clients’ monthly costs to provide hand sanitisers for commuters and has paid half of its client’s monthly instalments during the lockdown.
“The SDI Force project extends what we have been doing for our own clients to the wider taxi population in South Africa. The project is aimed at providing South Africa’s workers and learners with a safe passage to work and school. A project that puts the safety of our people first should be supported,” says Raseroka.
Bridge Taxi Finance recognises the need for accountability and encourages any conversation regarding the SDI initiative to take place in an open constructive manner.
