Metrobus takes the lead to Jozi’s green future

27 July 2016

 

The City of Johannesburg’s Member of Mayoral Committee for Transport Cllr Christine Walters and Gauteng MEC for Transport Ismail Vadi visited bus manufacturer Busmark in Randfontein on the West Rand on Tuesday July 26 to inspect dual fuel buses the company is building for Sandown Motor Holdings on behalf of Metrobus.

 

Metrobus is the City’s public bus passenger service.

In January 2015, Metrobus placed an order for 150 dual fuel buses from Sandown Motor Holdings, a Mercedes-Benz South Africa retail commercial vehicles dealership. When the delivery of these buses is completed by the end of August 2016, the Metrobus active fleet will increase from the current 344 to 494.

To date 123 buses have been delivered. Of the 150 buses, 100 have been built as fully dual fuel vehicles, while the rest will be retrofitted.

MMC Walters said through the acquisition the City was not only reducing the emission of greenhouse gases but it was also creating employment. Busmark created 280 permanent and temporary jobs during the manufacturing of the new dual fuel Metrobus fleet.

“Dual fuel buses and a greener City are one of [Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau’s] passions. We see Metrobus moving in a new direction and the Mayor is proud of the work that Metrobus MD Mavela Dlamini has accomplished in a short period of time,” said MMC Walters.

She said she was grateful to MEC Vadi for “always being there”.

Metrobus Chairperson Mpumi Mpofu said the new Metrobus fleet would be powered by both gas and diesel.

“The buses are low in emissions, use gas that is commercially cheaper and cleaner and can easily switch to diesel when the gas is not available,” said Mpofu.

“We ask our commuters to take pride in these buses by looking after them and protecting them,” said Mpofu.

MEC Vadi said the Metrobus dual fuel buses were part of a bigger picture.

“We want to move away from vehicles using petrol and hope the taxi industry will realise that using dual fuel is good for the environment. I hope we keep on the right pathway because we want to see Metrobus being the best public transport provider in the province,” he said.

He added that the transport system must be the backbone of the City, allowing people to move with ease. Busmark employee Ellen Ndovela, 31, of Roodepoort said when she started working at the factory she “did not know a thing”.

“I started doing my apprenticeship in 2013 and have learnt a lot since. I now know how to build a bus. This place has equipped me with the skills I need to succeed as a young woman,” said Ndovela.