Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi Unveils Cashless Taxi Payment System to Modernize Public Transport

Gauteng Taxis Set to Go Fully Cashless with SAPay System

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced an ambitious plan to transition the province’s minibus taxi industry to a fully cashless payment system, marking a major step toward modernizing public transport in South Africa’s economic hub.

Speaking on Tuesday, Lesufi said commuters will soon be able to pay for taxi rides using smartphones, SASSA cards, credit or debit cards, and prepaid options, reducing reliance on cash and helping curb crimes linked to the cash economy.

“Imagine paying a Gauteng taxi with your phone, SASSA card, credit card, debit card or a prepaid temporary card. Imagine no more,”
Lesufi said. “We are migrating our taxi industry to a cashless environment to eliminate cash that leads to ATM bombings, cash-in-transit heists, and business robberies.”

SAPay: A Fintech Breakthrough for the Taxi Industry

The system will be powered by SAPay, a new electronic fare payment platform developed specifically for South Africa’s minibus taxi network.

SAPay allows commuters to tap or scan to make instant, secure payments using popular smartphones. For those without access to smartphones, SAPay cards and in-vehicle card terminals will enable easy fare payments via debit or credit cards.

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According to the developers, SAPay aims to bring safety, efficiency, and transparency to one of the country’s most vital — yet informal — transport sectors.

“SAPay makes taxi electronic fare payments instant, easy, and secure. Even without a smartphone, passengers can simply tap their SAPay card or pay with their debit or credit card inside the vehicle,”
reads a company statement.

Reducing Crime Through a Digital Transition

Lesufi emphasized that the move toward a cashless taxi system will reduce the risk of violent crimes associated with cash handling, including ATM bombings, robberies, and cash-in-transit heists.

By removing cash from daily taxi operations, the province hopes to improve driver safety and operational accountability, while also making fare collection more transparent.

Public-Private Collaboration and Fintech Integration

The cashless transition will be rolled out in partnership with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and major telecom and fintech companies such as MTN, leveraging mobile payment technology and digital wallets to streamline transactions.

This initiative builds upon earlier pilot projects that faced adoption challenges due to connectivity issues and low digital literacy. However, Lesufi expressed confidence that advances in fintech integration and mobile payment adoption will make the rollout sustainable this time.

Mixed Reactions and Social Concerns

While many have welcomed the plan as a progressive step toward smart public transport, some have expressed concerns about accessibility, particularly for low-income commuters who rely on cash and may lack smartphones or bank cards.

Transport economists caution that digital payment infrastructure must remain inclusive and affordable, ensuring that no commuter is left behind during the digital shift.

What’s Next

If implementation begins next year as planned, Gauteng could become the first province in South Africa to fully digitize its taxi fare system.

Lesufi said the provincial government will continue working closely with industry leaders and financial partners to ensure that the transition is seamless, inclusive, and secure for both operators and commuters.