Transit Ads outlines new taxi branding regulations

Shamy Naidu, Executive of out of home transit environment specialist Transit Ads™ outlines the new taxi advertising regulations as recently gazetted by the South African Department of Transport.

On the 18^th of August 2017, the Department of Transport gazetted the new taxi branding and advertising regulations. The new regulations affect how brands and media owners advertise on minibus taxis.

Unfortunately, the broader advertising and media industry was not consulted during the lead up to the proclamation of the new regulations. The decision to implement these changes followed a process of exclusive interaction between government, taxi bosses and taxi associations.

It came as a surprise to the entire industry when on the 18^th August this year the new regulations were gazetted. At the same time, the Distinguishing Marks for Mini-Bus and Midi-Bus Regulations published in 2007 were repealed.

The new regulation, The Regulations on Colour Coding and Branding on Minibuses and Midibuses used for Minibus Taxi -type Services, 2017 came into effect on the 18th August 2017, with all affected parties given a period of six-months from date of publication to comply.

Unfortunate as it may be that the consultative process was flawed, we believe that there are some positives in the current proclamation of the regulations. It further highlights Government’s intent to regulate the taxi industry; while at the same time it protects brands through regulating the advertising methodologies employed within this space.

Transit Ads™ made immediate representations to the Department of Transport on the regulations. We did this with a view to negotiating the ideal methods to be employed to ensure maximum exposure for brands on the vehicles whilst remaining within the constraints of the new laws.

The regulations affect how brands advertise on the exterior of taxis, so it is of utmost importance for brands, marketers and media owners to understand what these new regulations entail.  The consultation held between Transit Ads™ and the Department of Transport, post this gazette, has ensured that Transit Ads™ is ideally positioned to seamlessly implement the new branding regulations on behalf of its clients. Through our consultations and interpretations of the new bylaws, we have agreed on the new format of how a taxi can be branded and received the necessary acknowledgement from the Department of Transport.