Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says that it is encouraging that the majority of South Africans have thrown their weight behind government's plans to provide safe, efficient and affordable public transport.
The Minister's comments follow the launch of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to start operation in Johannesburg next week and initial threats by certain taxi operators to embark on a strike.
At its meeting in Cape Town yesterday, 26 August 2009, Cabinet re-affirmed its commitment to implement the BRT system in partnership with all stakeholders, particularly the taxi industry.
"We met with the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) on Monday, 24 August 2009 and we agreed that there will be no strike and that the launch of BRT operations in Johannesburg will go ahead with the participation of all stakeholders, including SANTACO and local taxi operators. Through the recently announced National Joint Working Group (NJWG) on Public Transport, the taxi industry and government will work towards the development of a memorandum of agreement as well as a national empowerment framework for the taxi industry," the Minister said.
In a statement handed to Minister Ndebele last night, 26 August 2009, SANTACO, the country's biggest taxi organisation, called off its threatened strike. SANTACO said: "In light of this milestone, SANTACO hereby withdraws the nationwide strike against the BRT planned for August 31 2009 and will accordingly inform its structures on its decision."
This comes as a growing number of organisations have given their support to the BRT. As part of the NJWG process, other organisations representing civil society including the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), the South African Commuters Organisation (SACO), South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), National Economic Development Labour Council (NEDLAC), Gauteng Commuters Organisation (GCO), the South African Disability Alliance (SADA) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) met on 22 August 2009 and supported the BRT. These organisations categorically stated that they disagree with the threats made against the implementation of the BRT systems as they understand the importance of the implementation of the BRT project and 2010 guarantees given by the country.
The ANC/SACP/COSATU Alliance in Gauteng and civil society organisations in other provinces have also urged government to reprimand taxi operators who seek to hold people to ransom over the implementation of the BRT.
"As government, we remain committed to providing our citizens with safe, efficient and affordable public transport. To this end, BRT is an urban road-based public transport system for the 21st century. It aims to provide better public transport and benefits for everyone. It will ensure full accessibility for users with special needs and wheelchairs. Existing bus and taxi operators will feed into the public transport system and contract with the relevant municipality on a long-term basis," said the Minister.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
Issued by: Ministry Of Transport
27 August 2009
