Executive mayor, Olly Mlamleli
The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality last week signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with taxi associations operating in and around the city with the aim of revamping the public transport system.
The Weekly’s Martin Makoni spoke to the city’s executive mayor, Olly Mlamleli, to have a better understanding of how the Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) will work and how taxi operators will be involved. Makoni also asked the mayor how the commuting public and businesses would benefit from the new system. Excerpts:
If you can please give a brief outline of the signing of the MOA between the municipality and the taxi associations, what does it seek to achieve?
The signing ceremony follows months of deliberations with the taxi industry in Mangaung.
The MOA is focused on the introduction of the Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) in the city. The programme was started by my predecessor Thabo Manyoni.
So, I am basically taking over from where he left off so that we can get this new transport system operational. We would like to have our own model of a world class Bus Rapid Transit System like they have the Rea Vaya in Johannesburg.
So, where do things stand right now in terms of the work done and what’s next?
The first phase which involved the mapping out of the route and part of the road construction is done.
We are now going to embark on the second phase which involves the building of bus stations. It will also involve promoting the new system so that people have a clear understanding of what we want to achieve.
I have instructed my communications team to come up with large bill-boards promoting this new transport system. We need to communicate with the people so that they know how they are going to benefit from the IPTN and we are also open to suggestions that can help improve the system. The IPTN Project is one of the biggest projects that the city has yet undertaken and is being managed from the office of the city manager and is supported by all departments within the city.
How have the taxi operators received the new public transport system, are they not worried about losing revenue?
The taxi operators have received the idea very well. When I met with them last week, I wanted to know if there are any hiccups in the whole process, either from the municipality side or on the part of the taxi associations.
I am working with all taxi associations operating in Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. I made it clear to them that I do not want anyone to be excluded. I want to work with all of them so that we make decisions together and move forward. The municipality can’t embark on such an important project without them. I must say that I am happy that there are no complaints so far.
Which taxi organisations are you working with, exactly?
We are presently working with Motheo District Taxi Council, Botshabelo Amalgamated Taxi Association, Greater Bloemfontein Taxi Association and Thaba Nchu Long and Short Taxi Association. The municipality is grateful with the sterling contributions of these associations to date.
But how exactly are taxi operators likely to benefit, will they get some form of shareholding in the IPTN?
Negotiations are still underway with the taxi industry and ultimately we would like to establish a new Bus Operating Company (BOC) owned by Taxi and Bus operators in terms of their shareholding.
What will this new public transport system entail?
The new transport system includes the construction of bus ways, bus stations (both open and closed), a new bus depot, procurement of buses that caters for persons with disabilities and the removal of taxis and buses that will be affected by the implementation of the system.
When Rea Vaya was introduced in Joburg, taxi associations were given a stake so that they were not totally thrown out of business, what plans have you got for the local taxi operators?
We are working on ensuring that they indeed get something. At this point, I cannot give the exact figures because we still working on that. The idea is for everyone to benefit, so taxi associations will certainly benefit. I will pronounce on the figures when all consultations are finalised.
Which routes will the initial phase of the IPTN follow?
The first trunk route is planned to start at the intermodal facility in the CBD via Hanger Street, Harvey Road, Fort Hare Road, Maphisa Road through to Moshoeshoe Road ending at Chief Moroka Crescent.
The IPTN is coming at a time when the city is also incorporating Soutpan and parts of Naledi Local Municipality, what plans do you have for taxi operators from those areas?
We are certainly going to accommodate them in the new set-up. We are still working out the modalities. Presently, we are focusing on the operators in and around Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. The taxi associations that we are currently working with understand this and we have agreed that these other operators should be included in this project.
The Mangaung population size is much smaller when compared to cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria, do you think the city is ready for such an expansion for public transport?
Absolutely, the city is growing everyday and we don’t want to find ourselves with roads that cannot contain traffic.
The IPTN will help reduce the number of taxis on the roads, thereby easing congestion. We will be using buses which carry more people and the buses will be moving faster as they will be having dedicated lanes. The buses will also stick to stipulated timetables, making it convenient for the commuting public when planning their trips.
Still on the benefits of the IPTN, how are businesses likely to benefit and what would you say to the sceptical commuter?
Upon completion, the IPTN is expected to change the face of public commuting in Mangaung and ultimately the economic potential of the province. We want to have a seamless flow of traffic. The IPTN will also ensure the provision of an efficient, reliable, safe and affordable public transport system for the residents of the city.
The intermodal facility in the city centre has been lying idle for some time because some parts of the new taxi rank did not meet basic standards for a a public transport facility, what has been done to it given that it’s on the plans for the IPTN?
Most of the defects have been addressed. I would say 99 percent of the defects that made it impossible to use the new taxi rank have been fixed.
We are planning to open it by the end of the month. We would like to see how the taxi rank will be able to operate after the adjustments. It’s more like a pilot phase. Obviously, not all taxis will be accommodated in this facility. There are plans for other facilities. We just want to see how it will work and if further adjustments will be needed.
