Media Release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works
The Red Dot Taxi is providing transport to vaccine sites for those who are unable to travel themselves, including those who cannot afford or do not have access to public transport.
The Red Dot Taxi Service, which was launched in May 2020, is assisting in providing transport to vaccine sites across the Western Cape. This vaccine service was initially limited to healthcare workers and the elderly in rural areas, but it now being provided to those eligible to be vaccinated in all areas of the Province, including those 35 years and older.
This is all made possible by the Department of Transport and Public Works in its effort to help contain the spread of the coronavirus as the province is still on the peak of the third wave.
The Provincial Department of Health identifies those in need of transport through its on-the-ground local community liaison officers and they are then transported by Red Dot Taxi through the Department of Transport and Public Works. The Department of Health prioritises the elderly and those with special needs.
As of 30 July 2021, there were 5274 passengers were transported.
The Red Dot Taxi fleet is split between its different service components, including the vaccine service for eligibility individuals, the transport of people to Quarantine & Isolation facilities, the transport of discharged hospital patients, and the regular transport of healthcare workers to and from the Brackengate COVID-19 field hospital.
Red Dot was initiated by the Department of Transport and Public Works in response to the COVID-19 Strategy of the Western Cape Department of Health to specifically respond to the transport gaps which resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za