"All Fun...Until You Miss Your Stop": SA Stunned by ‘Sophisticated’ Taxi Offering Free Wi-Fi

• A South African taxi went viral on Reddit after a passenger shared a photo showing free Wi-Fi on board
• The taxi had a router with the password displayed, allowing commuters to connect during their trip
• Social media users praised the sophisticated upgrade, saying it added convenience to public transport

South Africans were amused and impressed by a minibus taxi offering free Wi-Fi, calling it a surprisingly sophisticated upgrade to public transport.

A South African taxi has caught the attention of social media users after an image showing it equipped with free Wi-Fi went viral. The photo, posted by Reddit user Grand_Evidence_5283, shows passengers riding in a minibus taxi with a small router, a displayed Wi-Fi password, and a message inviting riders to connect.

The post quickly made waves online as Mzansi reacted to the unusual upgrade in the country’s public transport. Taxis are a cornerstone of daily travel for millions of South Africans, but they’re rarely associated with modern conveniences like free internet access.The Reddit post was captioned

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“Our taxis are getting sophisticated.”

In the viral image, the taxi’s router is positioned neatly, with the password clearly displayed for passengers to use. This simple but effective touch allows commuters to enjoy internet access during their journey, transforming an ordinary ride into a more connected experience. Whether catching up on social media, streaming music, or checking emails, free Wi-Fi on public transport offers a small luxury that resonates with the digital age.

Netizens online were quick to praise the idea, saying it showed local taxis were stepping into a new era of convenience and customer care. While taxis have traditionally focused only on getting passengers from point A to point B, small gestures like offering Wi-Fi hint at a growing awareness of customer experience in the industry.

Free Wi-Fi in South African taxis sparks excitement and conversation

The concept of Wi-Fi-equipped taxis isn’t new globally, with several cities around the world already offering similar amenities in public transport. However, seeing it implemented locally generated excitement and humour online, with some joking that the next step would be fully smart taxis complete with charging ports and entertainment screens.

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Beyond the novelty factor, initiatives like this could change how commuters view public transport. Especially considering that mobile data can be costly in South Africa, free Wi-Fi is a practical perk that could encourage more positive interactions with an industry often criticised for safety and service challenges.

Mzansi reacted to the taxi with Wi-Fi

teddyslayerza wrote:

"There's something phishy about this..."

Otherwise-Row-4475 said:

"What’s missing now is a dash cam."

TheKyleBrah commented:

"Why would they willingly record their flagrant breaking of driving laws? 😆"

Chocolate_Mage wrote:

"This was supposed to be a thing during the 2010 World Cup with TVs in taxis, but it never happened. I’ve seen Wi-Fi at some taxi ranks, but never inside a single taxi."

Salty-Award8406 said:

"The taxi system should have been replaced with buses and a reliable railway system."

n0_sp00n commented:

"There's a company called Sebenza that offers free Wi-Fi in taxis."

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J47485 wrote:

"When I worked in Nairobi in 2018, all the taxis and buses had Wi-Fi. I had never seen that before."

HealthOk2246 said:

"It’s all fun and games until you miss your stop because you were on your phone the whole time lol."

Check out the Reddit post below:

3 Briefly News stories about Mzansi taxis

• A Mzansi TikTok user shared a video of three gentlemen sitting inside a taxi and braaing meat on a braai grid.
• A TikTok video of a mother waiting for her daughter’s taxi to leave before heading home melted hearts online.
• A man went on a loud rant in a packed taxi about how the high VAT was taking too much of the people's money, while everyone sat in silence.

Source: Briefly News