Today, the City of Johannesburg and public transport operators working between Sandton, Alexandra, Inner City, Midrand and Ivory Park signed a the landmark Negotiation Framework Agreement which will open the way for starting negotiations on the City’s R2.2 billion planned investment into the expansion of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) and it will affect public transport operators.
The agreement was signed by the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, and the representatives of different public transport operators for the transformation of public transport between the Joburg CBD; Alexandra; Sandton; Midrand and Ivory Park at Marks Parks Sports Club in Emmarentia, Johannesburg.
“This expansion will be through the planned introduction of the third phase of the BRT which will contribute significantly to the movement of people who work and live in the City of Johannesburg. One of the biggest obstacles to employment is the inability of people to access efficient transport. The introduction of the third phase of BRT will make it easier for many of our residents, particularly those from our previously forgotten communities, to connect to needed economic opportunities,” said the Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba.
“I would like to congratulate the negotiators for getting this far and believe that this will solidify our partnership with the mini bus taxi and bus sector. The City of Johannesburg is continuing to plan for and rollout integrated public transport – integrating Rea Vaya; Metrobus; provincial subsidized services and mini-bus taxis. I firmly believe that a well-functioning public transport system, coupled with good road mobility, is a critical component to a functioning City”, said Mayor Mashaba.
“We are also increasing our investment in improving our road infrastructure – with a focus on improving traffic light functioning through our joints policy rollout and increasing the deployment of JMPD to reduce congestion at traffic hot spots”, explained Mayor Mashaba.
Signatories to the agreement are:
- Regional mini bus taxi structures: Santaco, Greater Joburg Region and Top Six Taxi Management;
- Mini bus taxi associations: Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA), Alexandra Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA), Ivory Park Taxi Association (IPTA), Rabie Ridge Taxi Association (RRTA), and Randburg United Local and Long. Distance Taxi Association ( RULLDTA); and
- Bus companies: JR Choeu and PUTCO.
The Negotiation Framework Agreement sets out the rules and processes to guide the negotiating process including the negotiation structures, agenda, code of conduct of the parties and dispute resolution.
The negotiation agenda includes developing and signing agreements on:
- Who and how public transport operators participate in the negotiations;
- The establishment of a Bus Operating Company made up of shareholders who were previously affected public transport operators operating on the route of the Rea Vaya;
- A bus operating contract between the City and the to be formed Bus Operating Company;
- How vehicles and operating licenses of operators who are to be come shareholders are removed from services;
- How new and restructured mini bus taxi services will operate;
- How employees displaced by the removal of vehicles will have opportunities to become drivers and other staff in the Bus Operating Company to be formed; and
- Empowerment opportunities for previously disadvantaged operators.
“The signing of the agreement is a major milestone in implementing an integrated public transport plan which will contribute not only to improved quality public transport for all residents but will also promote the economic empowerment of the mini bus taxi industry,” said the MMC for Transport, Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba.
“We can now work at full steam to rollout the next phase of Rea Vaya which will bring safe, reliable and affordable public transport between Alexandra, Sandton and the Inner City with dedicated trunk routes along Louis Botha and Katherine Streets by October 2018”, she added.
The City of Johannesburg is also continuing to upgrade, maintain and build new taxi rank and public transport interchanges including the new Johannesburg International Transport Interchange for cross border and long distance trips.
The City of Johannesburg recently launched a dedicated public transport lane, known as the Sandton Public Transport Loop, that run along Rivonia Road, Fredman Drive and 5th Street and includes stops and shelters with information for passengers as to which bus stops where.
In addition to the public transport loop the City of Johannesburg has invested in the construction of improved sidewalks and two new bridges over the M1 to improve connectivity between Alexandra and Sandton.
We are that this new partnership between the City and operators will ensure that the people of this City have the mobility to truly unlock their economic potential.