City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and public transport operators signed a negotiation framework agreement on September 19.
The agreement was signed by Joburg mayor, Clr Herman Mashaba and representatives from different public transport operators for the transformation of public transport between the Joburg CBD, Alexandra, Sandton, Midrand and Ivory Park.
Mashaba said the framework agreement will assist in starting negotiations on the city’s R2.2-billion planned investment into the expansion of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) and it will affect public transport operators.
“This expansion will be through the planned introduction of the third phase of the BRT which will contribute to the movement of people who work and live in Johannesburg,” said Mashaba.
He said one of the biggest obstacles to employment is people’s inability to access efficient transport.
“The introduction of the third phase of BRT will make it easier for many of our residents to connect to employment opportunities,” he said.
“This will solidify our partnership with the minibus taxi and bus sector. CoJ continues to plan for, and roll-out integrated public transport by integrating Rea Vaya, Metrobus, provincial subsidised services and minibus taxis. I believe a well-functioning public transport system, coupled with good road mobility, is a critical component to a functioning city,” said Mashaba.
He said CoJ is increasing its investment in improving road infrastructure with a focus on improving traffic light functioning through the joint policy roll-out and increasing the deployment of JMPD to reduce congestion at traffic hot spots.
Signatories to the agreement were:
• Regional minibus taxi structures; Santaco, Greater Joburg Region and Top Six Taxi Management.
• Minibus taxi associations namely Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA), Alexandra Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA), Ivory Park Taxi Association (IPTA), Rabie Ridge Taxi Association (RRTA) and Randburg United Local and Long Distance Taxi Association ( RULLDTA).
• Bus companies JR Choeu and Putco.
The negotiation framework agreement sets out the rules and processes to guide the negotiating process including the negotiation structures, agenda, code of conduct of the parties and dispute resolution.
The negotiation agenda includes developing and signing agreements on:
• Who and how public transport operators participate in the negotiations.
• The establishment of a bus operating company made up of shareholders who were previously affected public transport operators operating on the route of the Rea Vaya.
• A bus operating contract between the city and the to-be-formed bus operating company.
• How vehicles and operating licenses of operators who are to become shareholders are removed from services.
• How new and restructured minibus taxi services will operate.
• How employees displaced by the removal of vehicles will have opportunities to become drivers and other staff in the future bus operating company to be formed; and
• Empowerment opportunities for previously disadvantaged operators.
MMC for Transport, Clr Nonhlanhla Makhuba, said the signing of the agreement is a major milestone in implementing an integrated public transport plan which will contribute to improved quality public transport and promotion of economic empowerment of the minibus taxi industry.
The city also continues to upgrade, maintain and build new taxi ranks and public transport interchanges including the new Johannesburg International Transport Interchange for cross-border and long-distance trips.
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