Note to Editors: The following remarks were delivered by the Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Cllr Mpho Phalatse, at the Rooderpoort Metrobus Depot. The Executive Mayor was joined by the MMC for Transport, Cllr Funzela Ngobeni, as well as the leadership of Metrobus.
Programme Director and Region C Director, Mr Mlamleli Belot
MMC for Transport Cllr Funzela Ngobeni
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, Cllr Wendy Alexander
Ward 83 Councillor, Ms Florence Roberts
Managing Director of Metrobus, Ms Xoliswa Mhlongo, and Bus Build Africa MD, Dr. Julian Naidoo
City and Entity Officials and Leadership
Members of the media,
And most importantly, residents of the City of Johannesburg
Today is a beautiful day for Johannesburg!
The Multi-Party Government has set the priority of improving Basic Services, with transport being a gem of this programme of action.
Residents, regardless of Region, race, age, or class must be able to access affordable, reliable, and safe public transport that takes them across the City’s 226 different routes.
Public transport routes are like arteries, taking jobseekers, workers and employees, customers, learners, and students to and from where they need to be. With Metrobus providing this essential and basic service to 8-million commuters every year.
MMC Ngobeni,
As it stands, not everyone stays close to economic and personal opportunities, but this matters less when public transport is affordable and works well, and is well integrated.
The 105 newly refurbished buses will enhance daily bus availability as the demand for public transport increases, due to the ever-increasing petrol price.
It is worth mentioning that we had set the target of refurbishing 100 buses, but we exceeded this target by refurbishing 105 buses at a cost of approximately R50-million (R49,873,315).
This is a huge boost for the second largest bus operator in South Africa, which employs 890 people, operating a fleet of 420 buses, which includes two luxury buses and 6 special needs buses with hydraulic wheelchair lifts.
I am pleased to be with you all today to launch yet another breakthrough on our journey towards building a City of Golden Opportunities, which provides a safe and reliable transport service to the residents of Joburg.
The Bus Refurbishment Programme will extend the useful life of the existing fleet by another six to seven years, at less the cost of procuring new busses.
We have achieved this goal.
We undertook to refurbish the entire bus drive train and renew flooring and seating to modernise the buses, which will mainly be deployed to high traffic routes to improve bus intervals during the morning and afternoon peak-time periods.
We took the decision to re-fleet and restructure our buses because we believe that for Johannesburg to truly become a City of Golden Opportunities, its public transport ought to be the first means of choice.
I stand here today, surrounded by these beautifully refurbished buses, as a symbol of a new journey for Joburg.
These are quality buses that all residents can rely on to ensure the safe transportation of our residents, the kind of buses that would contribute to clean air and to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Ladies and gentlemen, all 105 of these new buses have commenced operation. And we are proud to have contributed to the creation of 63 local jobs through this refurbishment programme.
Furthermore, we are also pleased to launch Metrobus’ next three-year R90 million refurbishment programme on its seven-year-old buses.
MMC Ngobeni,
Quality public transport is a great equaliser in society, and we are committed to building a more equal society where everyone has the opportunities they need to get ahead in life and live a life that they value.
Our safe and reliable bus fleet is of critical importance; therefore, a Quality Inspector was appointed within the depot to continuously check and monitor the quality of work performed during refurbishment. If any defects are detected the buses are then taken back for rework. We cannot compromise on such standards.
I would like to thank all of you for joining us in the launch of our refurbished buses and making this journey possible.
The City’s VIPs, the 6-million residents of Joburg, are now guaranteed safe and reliable transport.
Finally, Metrobus remains an integral part of our priority of building a business-friendly and inclusive City. The entity plays a pivotal role in the promotion of economic activity, by ensuring sustainable mobility and equitable access are key economic opportunities.
I thank you.
ENDS
For media queries, please contact:
Mabine Seabe
Director: Mayoral Communication
Private Office of the Executive Mayor
084 677 7851
13/07/2022
