RESEARCH PROPOSAL

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

SECTION A: Student details

Student number 220092573 Surname Lukombe Initial MI

Does the study have a 5IR focus? NO

If yes state, the focus
Does the study have a SOTL NO
(Scholarship of teaching and learning)
focus? If yes state, the focus

SECTION B: Proposal mentor details

Proposal mentor Surname Initials Title

Contact details Phone E mail

Section C: Proposal mentor sign off

Supervisor surname

Signature Date

PLAGIARISM DECLARATION I ___Mwenge Ibrahim Lukombe________________ declare that this

assignment is my own original work. Where secondary material has been used (either from a printed source
or from the internet), this has been carefully acknowledged and referenced in accordance with departmental
requirements. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the department’s policy in this regard.

Section D: Details of the study (Insert your proposal on the next page)

:
Proposal title Exploring the Perspective of meter taxi drivers on E-hailing Services at GT
Introduction
Any person in South Africa who has used the high-speed train system would testify that it is
a common situation to be stranded at the station, often with luggage. The restrictions by
meter taxi drivers present at the stations imposed on e-hailing services led to the inability to
pick up commuters at any GT station, causing this dilemma (De Villiers, 2019). The above
reality has motivated numerous scholars and news reporters to extensively research the
topic to identify challenges that GT management and commuters face due to this worrying
reality. Henama (2020) explains that the South African public transportation system is still
primitive. Therefore, it cannot absorb various means of public transportation, including
minibus taxis, metered taxis, and e-hailing services, all operating simultaneously.

Furthermore, Scholars such as Dubbelman (2021) support the above argument by

suggesting that there is a need for more context-specific research on the topic to understand
the dynamic transportation landscape found in South Africa. However, the South African
Competition Commission report suggests that metered taxi operators have a competitive
disadvantage because they have designated areas to wait for commuters, giving them a fifty
percent dead mileage due to the empty return trip to their designated spot (SA Competition
Commission 2020). This study is important to help GT management understand commuters'
transportation challenges after exiting the system. By understanding these challenges, GT
management can implement informed strategies to enable the coexistence of meter taxis
and e-hailing services to benefit commuters (Danielak, 2019). Exhibit 1.1 illustrates the
operation cycle of metered taxis compared to e-hailing.
Management problem and the problem statement

E-hailing and metered taxi operators are in constant conflict with each other for customers of
the high-speed train system. Commuters of the GT system face an inconvenience after
exiting due to the presence of meter taxis, preventing the operation of e-hailing services at
the stations. There have been multiple reports over the last five years of violent accidents
and incidents involving meter taxi drivers and e-hailing service drivers (Simelane, 2021).
Nevertheless, it is important to note that despite these reports and the killing of over fifteen
e-hailing drivers per year in Johannesburg alone Cloete (2022), there has been limited
research aimed at identifying effective strategies to mitigate these issues, as pointed out by
(Danielak, 2019). This is concerning, given the significant role that e-hailing services play in
the Gautrain system and the need to ensure the safety and security of commuters. Exhibit
1.2 illustrates the extent of the violence between metered taxi drivers and e-hailing.

Abramjee, Y. (2017) Burning car. Available at: https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/uber-driver-

hijacked-assaulted/ (Accessed 22 May 2024).

Research question

What strategies can GT employ to enhance its transportation services, promoting the
coexistence of metered taxis and e-hailing for the benefit of commuters?

Main objectives and secondary objectives

A primary research objective may be to assess and recommend a strategy for Gautrain to
optimize its transportation services, ensuring a harmonious coexistence of meter taxis and e-
hailing services while maintaining high customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Secondary objectives can be to identify the specific challenges faced by GT customers in the
presence of meter taxis, focusing on waiting times, accessibility, and overall commuting
experience. To explore the perception of metered taxi operators on e-hailing services at GT
stations, considering factors such as service delays, route diversions, and customer
dissatisfaction. To propose actionable recommendations for management to enhance the
integration of meter taxis, promoting a seamless and customer-centric transportation
experience.

Research design

This is a term used to define the holistic approach of the study, such as quantitative or
qualitative, which helps guide the researcher (Thakur, 2021). This is a qualitative study; this
method will help understand the perspectives of commuters, metered taxis, and e-hailing
operators. The focus will be on individual experiences.

Population and sampling

This study will use the non-probability sampling method. Considering the urgency of the
matter, the purposive sampling technique will be used. This technique, under the non-
probability method, will allow me to preselect my participants from the population of metered
taxi and e-hailing services drivers at GT train stations without every member of the
population expected to be selected (McCombes, 2019). Therefore, it gives me enough time
to set a concise procedure, which includes determining the problem, objectives, and
judgment criteria for my sample. Moreover, I need to create interview questions. Participants
will be given pseudonyms, but permission will be requested to use the company’s name and
comply with the university’s policy on ethical research.

Data gathering
This study will use the narrative analysis method to analyze interview insights. This method
is very useful in qualitative study as it allows the researcher to explore the underlying
meaning behind the participants’ stories and how an individual’s narrative differs from one
person to another (Calzon, 2024). As prerequisites of this method, the individuals’ stories
will be the unit of analysis. To ensure trustworthiness and mitigate biases, I will use a
recording device to capture responses, a tool such as Descript to transcribe the
audio, and member checking where necessary to validate insights. The research
findings will be made available to both parties involved and will be subjected to peer
review. I will use graphs and charts to illustrate the findings.
References

Abramjee, Y., 2017. 'Burning car', Jacaranda FM, 7 April. Available at:
https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/uber-driver-hijacked-assaulted/ (Accessed: 22
May 2024).

Cloete, N., 2022. 'E-hailing drivers under siege, Ekurhuleni emerges as a hotspot for killings',
IOL. Available at: https://iol.co.za (Accessed: 30 March 2024).

Danielak, S., 2019. 'Navigating urban encounters: an infrastructural perspective on violence

in Johannesburg’s taxi industry', Third World Thematics: A TWQ Journal, 4(2), pp. 137-157.

De Villiers, J., 2019. 'Uber has deployed security guards to all Gautrain stations - here’s
why', News24. Available at: https://news24.com (Accessed: 28 March 2024).

Dubbelman, B., 2021. 'A contextual investigation into the working conditions of e-hailing
drivers in South Africa', Johannesburg: Wits University.

Henama, U.S., 2020. 'The South African public transportation system', African Journal of
Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 6(2), pp. 1-10.

McCombes, S., 2019. Scribbr. [Online]

Available at: Sampling Methods | Types, Techniques & Examples (scribbr.com)
[Accessed 1 April 2024].

Simelane, B., 2021. 'Fingers pointed at government as tensions flare up again between
Pretoria ride-hailing and metered taxi drivers', Daily Maverick. Available at:
https://dailymaverick.co.za (Accessed: 28 March 2024).

South African Competition Commission., 2020. 'Market inquiry into land-based public
passenger transport: metered taxis and e-hailing services', 19 February. Available at:
http://www.compcom.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PROVISIONAL-REPORT-ON-E-
HAILING-AND-METERED-TAXIS-19February2020-NON-CONFIDENTIAL-VERSION1.pdf
(Accessed: 22 May 2024).

Thakur, H., 2021. ResearchGate. [Online]

Available at: (PDF) Research Design (researchgate.net) [Accessed 31 March 2024].