Midrand (South Africa), Sep 6 (Inditop.com) The South African government is fast-tracking the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system negotiation process with the taxi industry, BUaNews reported Sunday.
“The negotiation process will continue. The city of Johannesburg will be assisted to resolve issues around representation on the part of the taxi industry so that negotiations at local level can be fast-tracked,” said Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele Friday.
This follows a National Joint Working Group (NJWG) meeting with the taxi industry and civil society in Pretoria Thursday.
The BRT system buses had began operating in Soweto and Johannesburg Monday, amid heavy police presence.
The minister also reassured the public that the taxi industry had agreed not to resort to violence.
The assurance follows an incident in which two BRT buses were attacked Tuesday night and one civilian and a police officer were wounded when occupants of a minibus taxi apparently opened fire on the buses.
The minister said he has been assured by Police Commissioner Bheki Cele that the South African Police Services were working around the clock to ensure that those responsible are brought to book.
“Such attacks cannot be allowed to continue. The BRT is not about government or the taxi industry, it’s about the commuter,” he added.
