Michael Bleby
5 November 2008
Johannesburg — TRANSPORT Minister Jeff Radebe told Johannesburg's taxi industry yesterday that it would be financially better off by participating in the city's planned bus rapid transit (BRT) network.
Taxi industry ownership of the planned Rea Vaya network should reflect its market share of public transport at present, Radebe said at the unveiling of the first of 20 stations that will be in use by the time of the soccer Confederations Cup next year.
"From a financial perspective, they must be better off than they are. They will own the operations on the BRT and will ensure that services are based on the requirements and standards set by the municipality or transport authority," he said.
The taxi industry, which accounts for more than one-third of all the trips made in Johannesburg on any given day, has the most to lose from an alternative safe and regular network of buses running in dedicated lanes, and getting buy-in from the industry is vital to the success of the Rea Vaya project.
Construction of infrastructure -- such as the station unveiled yesterday in Joubert Park -- has started even though the city, bus and taxi operators have not yet agreed upon the ownership model for Rea Vaya. The city hopes to reach an agreement by the end of the year, Rehana Moosajee, Johannesburg member of the mayoral council for transport, said yesterday.
Representatives of Johannesburg's two main taxi associations sounded reassured yesterday.
"We are pressing for the end of the year" to agree on ownership, said Eric Motshwane, chairman of the Greater Johannesburg Regional Taxi Association.
"Our fears were allayed by the minister in a big way," said Sicelo Mabaso, national chairman of the Top Six association.
But he declined to say when they would sign any agreement. "I need to get a mandate from the leadership of the association ."
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