Joburg to open dedicated taxi lanes soon

10 March 2016

 

The City of Johannesburg is to soon open several dedicated lanes for minibus taxis on some of its routes to ease traffic congestion and minimise the carbon footprint.

 

This was said by Gauteng Transport MEC Dr Ismail Vadi on the first day of a three-day international conference of transport authorities at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg on the East Rand on Wednesday March 9.

The conference was opened by Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, with Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Councillor Mondli Gungubele both delivering welcome addresses. The conference has attracted several high-profile speakers from countries such as Nigeria, Singapore and Kenya.

It is looking into issues such as the reduction of travel time, introduction of an integrated ticket model and improved licensing and subsidy systems.

Dr Vadi said Johannesburg was almost ready to pilot a number of roads as dedicated lanes for minibus taxis – especially during peak hour periods – to create a smoother flow of traffic and curb greenhouse gas emissions. The MEC said though the taxi industry did not enjoy a government subsidy, his department was determined to integrate its operations into the mainstream in recognition of the critical role the sector played in the economy. He said his department was in constant consultation with the industry.

He said this had resulted in the “coming together of minds” between the two parties, especially on the need for a paradigm shift in taxi operations.

MEC Vadi said the taxi industry was fast waking up to the realisation that it needed to set up business units, separate from taxi associations, to take up business opportunities offered by the government in its economic nodes. He said the transient nature of taxi associations, coupled with their being prone to violence, were some of the challenges faced when dealing with the sector.

He added that there was a need to have a single provincial transport authority to create an integrated transport system. The current scenario, Vadi said, had seen a duplication of skills.