profit
16 March 2006
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki
Cele, has called on bus operators in the province not to put profit above the
lives of commuters.
Cele was speaking at a Bus Indaba, which was hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal
Department of Transport in Pietermaritzburg today and was attended by more than
300 bus operators from all over the province. The main aim of the Indaba was to
sensitize bus operators about the increasing number of road crashes involving
buses, as well as to emphasise the important role of this sector in the growth
of the province's economy. The Indaba also served as a platform for bus
operators to raise issues of concern and seek clarity regarding new legislation
and policy governing the bus industry.
Cele said that more than 80% of South Africa's population utilise public
transport and therefore public transport operators, including bus operators,
are responsible for a major portion of people's lives.
"Government has a responsibility to ensure that you make your money but that
people's lives are not lost in the process. It seems that the majority of bus
operators merely purchase buses to make a profit and are simply not interested
in providing an effective and efficient service. But this is the reason why
many public transport operators are transporting so many of our people to the
graves. Only a few days ago the door of a bus was shut on an elderly lady in
Durban even before she was able to safely get off the bus," said Cele.
âThe importance of public transport in the majority of our people's lives
cannot be overemphasised. Bus operators have a responsibility to ensure that
commuters are respected provided with a safe, efficient and affordable service
and that they are not killed in our hands. Speeding, overloaded and
un-roadworthy buses are a major problem. We must realise that the people who
are killed in these crashes are not just ordinary passengers; they are fathers,
mothers, daughters and sons,â Cele said.
âIn certain instances an entire family is wiped out in these crashes. We
have visited several families after these crashes and I can assure you that
these crashes are much more than just statistics. When you leave statistics and
deal with families your entire understanding changes,â said Cele.
Cele also related an incident where nine people died in a bus crash and the
owner of the bus was not interested in the people who died but only wanted to
know what happened to his bus.
"Let's get back to being human beings; we are public transport operators and
not undertakers. We must respect the laws of our country. Subsidies are there
to provide commuters with an effective service and not for operators to get
rich. Let's transport our children safely to school. Please, 'let us defend the
weak'," Cele said.
Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa,
stressed the importance of the public transport industry for the 2010 Soccer
World Cup and announced that Operation "THATH' ISKOROKORO", targeting
un-roadworthy public transport vehicles will be intensified.
âThe high number of bus crashes is unacceptable and therefore enforcement
will not be debated. We will ensure 100% compliance. Road Safety is not only
government's responsibility. It seems that for too often only drivers of buses
were arrested and owners escaped, but owners must also be held accountable,â
Mbanjwa said.
Cele will host a Taxi Indaba tomorrow (Friday, 17 March 2006) at the
eThekwini Community Church, Durban where at least 3000 taxi operators from all
the provinces are expected to attend.
For enquiries please contact
Logan Maistry
Acting Director: Communication
KZN Department of Transport
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: Logan.Maistry@Kzntransport.gov.za
Website: http://www.kzntransport.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
16 March 2006
