| Taxi industry signs BRT agreement |
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| Written by Lucille Davie | |
| Tuesday, 18 December 2007 | |
City Manager Mavela Dlamini, Transport MMC Rehana Moosajee, Mayor Amos Masondo, Eric Motshwane and Sicelo Mabaso of the taxi industry pledge to work together (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Another memorandum of understanding has been signed by the taxi industry and the City; this time it was the turn of the Greater Johannesburg Regional Taxi Council to sign up for the Bus Rapid Transit system. IN October the Top Six Taxi Association signed a memorandum of understanding with the City. Now the other major taxi body, the Greater Johannesburg Regional Taxi Council (GJRTC), has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the City. On Friday morning, 14 December, Executive Mayor Amos Masondo and Eric Motshwane, the chairman of the GJRTC, sat down in the Visitors' Centre on the 16th floor of the Metro Centre to sign and shake hands on the memorandum, regarding the City's Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Sicelo Mabaso, the chairman of the Top Six Taxi Association, signed another memorandum, confirming again his and Motshwane's months of discussions and future co-operation on the BRT. "The City of Johannesburg recognises the centrality of the transport system to our economy in general and the role that the taxi industry plays in economic growth and development," Masondo said. Rehana Moosajee, the mayoral committee member for transportation, stressed that the City had been prepared to wait and give the taxi industry "all the time necessary" to consult with its members. Masondo emphasised that the City did not see itself as the "centre of all knowledge", but as an equal partner with the taxi industry, so that all parties would mutually benefit from the process. The BRT system 
The three men shake hands on the signing of the MOUs (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
The BRT foresees exclusive median bus lanes; separate, closed median stations about 500 metres apart; bus frequencies of three to five minutes apart in peak times and 10 minutes apart in off-peak times; a GIS-based control centre; smart card fare technology; buses running from 5am to midnight; and a model that incorporates incumbent taxi and bus operators. Motshwane acknowledged that the transformation of the taxi industry was "not an easy task". "Meaningful and effective transformation of the public transport industry requires the readiness of all role players to actively engage and contribute in this regard." He admitted that the taxi industry had been resistant to change in the past. "It has taken me some time to accept that without being prepared to listen, though very carefully, to alternative business-related proposals, it would be very difficult to improve and grow ourselves as part of this community." Mabaso stressed that the taxi industry and the City had to work together, although it might not be by choice. "We do so for the sake of the country." He added: "At the same time as announcing this project, the City of Johannesburg approached the taxi industry and put up a challenge to us if we could mobilise ourselves to a very high level and take a major stake in the new public transport system." He said there were more than 25 000 taxi drivers in the city, and about 100 taxi associations. Congestion, productivity and growth
Mayor Amos Masondo, Eric Motshwane and Sicelo Mabaso of the taxi industry sign the MOUs (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Masondo said that on average it took commuters one hour and 78 minutes to travel to work. Some 72 percent of all public transport trips were made on taxis. He explained that all major cities in the world were now concerned with congestion and how it affected productivity and economic growth, with industrial pollution, air quality and noise levels the by-product of this growth. This meant that cities were striving to reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads. "There is a growing consensus among transport experts worldwide that steps should be taken to minimise the impact of private vehicle use in our cities." Solutions to congestion varied from high parking fees and expensive tolls to the banning of vehicles during certain times of the day. "In Johannesburg, we are convinced that the introduction of an affordable, safe, clean, fast, effective and efficient public transport system will form a key part of response to these challenges."
South American example "It is important for me to state that we went to Colombia not to copy what the Colombians do but to identify best practice and to adapt it to our own specific Johannesburg reality," Masondo said. Construction of the BRT has already begun, with road works visible along Saratoga Avenue in Braamfontein and along the Soweto Highway. The first phase of construction, Phase 1A, will be completed in time for the African Confederations Cup in April 2009. This route will run from Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto to Jeppestown, and further north to Sandton. It will consist of 40 kilometres of a special bus lane running in the centre of the road, with 48 stations along the way. The City has funded independent technical advisers, including a lawyer, to help the taxi industry to engage with the BRT project. "We thank the City for providing assistance," Motshwane said. "This signing has the full support of the taxi industry." Masondo concluded, "The taxi industry is well known for its spirit of entrepreneurship and I have no doubt that it will waste no time in seizing the arising opportunities." Motshwane said that he hoped the signing would be seen as an "important milestone in the development of a world-class public transport system in Johannesburg". Meanwhile, earlier this month Moosajee unveiled five new emblems that have been painted on five Metrobus buses, aimed at promoting transport values and improving the quality of service in public transport.
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