Tshwane public transport system taking strain over limited passenger numbers
Buses and taxis operating in the city of Tshwane have been cautioned to strictly adhere to the required lockdown loading capacity for public transport.
Tshwane metro administration officials are in talks with the Gauteng roads and transport department to increase the number of buses to cater for “capacity challenges” currently being experienced.
Buses and taxis operating in the city of Tshwane have been cautioned to strictly adhere to the required lockdown loading capacity for public transport.
“I would like to make an impassioned plea to the bus and taxi commuters to comply with the Covid-19 lockdown level 3 regulations,” said Tshwane metro head administrator Mpho Nawa.
“We plead with the public transport commuters to work with the various transport operators in complying with the 50% and 70% loading capacity for both buses and taxis, respectively.”
He said the lockdown was aimed at reducing the movement of people to help contain the spread of the virus.
“The public is discouraged from travelling using public transport, unless it is necessary.
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“The A Re Yeng Mamelodi service is currently experiencing capacity problems due to the number of commuters going through the system and forcing entry into the buses,” Nawa said.
He said the virus could be flattened if commuters waited patiently for available transportation.
“The metro has received threats of violence from unnamed sources about possible destruction or damaging of buses from Wednesday,” said Nawa.
He said the threats emanated from the current capacity challenges that the metro was witnessing in the first week of level 3 lockdown.
“The capacity problems are being attended to and we request commuters to be alert and report any threats or violent acts to law enforcement authorities,” Nawa said.
“All public transport modes including metered-taxis and e-hailing service providers are allowed to operate throughout the day during level 3 – if they limit the number of passengers that can travel together,” he said.
“Significantly, we are requesting employers and companies to consider staggering the working times for their employees to accommodate the delays due to the current loading capacity requirements,” Nawa said.
Metrorail services are not operational yet.
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The following key compliance issues are to be adhered to at all times:
– Ensure physical distancing of 1.5m and avoid contact with other passengers;
– Sanitise your hands before and after travelling;
– Limit contact with common surfaces like hand rails and vehicle doors, and sanitise or wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds as often as you can;
– Wear a cloth face mask at all times when travelling on all modes of transport;
– All bus services are permitted to only carry 50% of their licensed capacity and;
– Minibus taxis are allowed to carry up to 70% of their loading capacity;
The South African National Taxi Council said that taxis loaded above 70% capacity was an “attempted murder”.
“If you ever find yourself in an overloaded taxi, we appeal to you report it. Take the registration numbers, the time and route on which the incident happened and send the information to 073-356-8500.”
The council said it was painful they could not load their transportation vehicles to full capacity; however, “operating hours are now open throughout”.
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