Interests of commuters come first - Vadi
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport today held extensive discussions with the representatives of the two provincial taxi associations, SANTACO (Gauteng) and the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance, including taxi groups from Mamelodi, on the future operations of Autopax bus services in Mamelodi.
MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, said that the meeting was lengthy and extremely constructive.
Vadi said that both the department and the collective leadership of the taxi associations provincially and regionally have agreed to keep the door open for further consultations and engagements on the matters at hand.
Both the department and Autopax have assured commuters that bus services will continue to be provided in terms of the three months, interim contracts that have been signed between them.
“Our primary responsibility is to ensure continuity of public transport services to commuters and their safety, not just in Mamelodi but throughout the province,” said Vadi.
“For government the interests and needs of commuters are paramount,” he added.
Vadi also indicated that the Labour Court has reserved judgement in the legal dispute between Putco, South African Transport Workers’ Union, Autopax and the department. This relates to the interpretation and applicability of Section 197 of the Labour Relations Act to the interim contract with Autopax.
For more information contact:
Octavia Mamabolo
Tel: 011 355 7300
Cell: 082 316 8666
