Bus, taxi operators make way for new project

Minibus taxis and private bus operators who will have to make way for the new R20 billion Go!Durban public transport project will have an option either to accept a compensation payout or to form companies that will be contracted to provide the services on affected routes. This was presented at a media briefing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday where eThekwini Transport Authority officials and the city executive committee addressed the media about progress on the project. The minibus taxi operators have on a number of occasions disrupted work on different sites, demanding a stake in the construction. The head of the transport authority, Thami Manyathi, acknowledged that there had been serious challenges, but said they were able to iron out the issues. It was hoped that this deal would lead to a smoother transition to a better public transport system.

At the moment only two associations from West Durban had directly been affected and would benefit from the deal. Manyathi said the payout of those opting for withdrawal of their operating licence would be determined by the current market value of their work. The city’s head of public transport operations and industry transformation, Mlungisi Wosiyana, said they would form “vehicle operating companies that would get contracts with the municipality and offer their service to the transport system”. Their employees, including taxi rank managers and sliding door operators, would be integrated into the new transport system, he added. “A survey for a revenue and skills audit is also being finalised. This is to ensure that no jobs are lost and those employed by affected operators are reskilled and can work in the new transport model.” Manyathi said this contract would be valid for 12 years, after which the operators would have to apply for tenders to re-enter the transport system if they still wanted to offer their services.

Wosiyana said they had signed a memorandum of agreement with the taxi industry and would soon sign one with bus operators. Mediators and advisers had been appointed who would represent the city and the operators. “Taxi industry technical advisers were appointed in October last year with the appointment of bus operators' technical advisers being finalised. “The establishment of negotiations structures has been completed. The programme of action budget is also being finalised,” he said. Manyathi said although the project was expected to take 15 years to complete, the city would have an improved public transport model afterwards. The first corridor (C3), linking Bridge City, KwaMashu, to Pinetown, was expected to open in 2017. He said other infrastructure required for the C3 Corridor included transfer stations, a terminal station, a depot and transport management centre. “Safety is very important for people who leave their cars at home and opt to use public transport.” Construction work is under way in two transport corridors, C3 and C9, which runs between Umhlanga and KwaMashu.