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Public Transport News

Gauteng transport dept extended bus contract irregularly since 1997 - Public Protector

By: News24Wire 1st February 2022 The Office of the Public Protector has found that the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport irregularly implemented a provincial transport contract with the Putco bus company. On Monday, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane released her findings after several complaints were brought to her... →

Bolt welcomes inclusion of e-hailing drivers under Taxi Relief Fund

By: Irma Venter 27th January 2022 Bolt, the mobility service that currently connects more than 25 000 drivers with passengers across South Africa, says it welcomes the launch of government's Covid-19 Taxi Relief Fund (TRF). The fund offers a once-off payment for qualifying drivers that experienced loss of income during the... →

Andrew Ihsaan Gasnolar

Metrorail closes one line between Soshanguve, Mabopane stations

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 24th January 2022 Passenger rail service operator Metrorail has closed one line between the Soshanguve and Mabopane stations following a technical fault and train incident. A train en route to Mabopane station experienced a technical fault outside Soshanguve station on January 24 at about 05:30. →

City of Cape Town offers R5 000 reward for info on stoning of brand new train

By: News24Wire 12th January 2022 The City of Cape Town is offering a R5 000 reward for information that leads to the positive identification and arrest of those responsible for the stoning of a brand new train. A group of youth pelted the Metrorail train between Steenberg and Fish Hoek last week, damaging the train driver's window. →

Mbalula launches one-off Covid-19 Taxi Relief Fund

By: Yvonne Silaule 11th January 2022 Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has officially launched the R1.14-billion one-off ex gratia Covid-19 Taxi Relief Fund (TRF), with qualifying operators expected to receive about R5 000 each. The TRF is a financial support programme by the Department of Transport (DoT) in collaboration with the... →

Minibus taxis parked at the Roodepoort taxi rank

Metrorail opens case as Steenberg to Fish Hoek train pelted with stone

By: Schalk Burger 5th January 2022 Passenger rail service operator Metrorail Western Cape has opened a case of malicious damage to property after a group of youths allegedly stoned a train at Steenberg station on its way to Fish Hoek station. The stone caused damage to the side window of the driver's cabin, which will have to be... →

Metrorail to resume services between Fish Hoek and Simon's Town stations

By: Schalk Burger 4th January 2022 Metrorail Western Cape will resume services between the Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town stations on January 5. This means all 29 stations between the Retreat station and the Simon’s Town station will be fully operational, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) said on January 4. →

BRT job losses loom if govt does not reconsider legislation, says association

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th December 2021 The South African Bus Rapid Transit Association (Sabrata) has called on government to review legislation governing the bus rapid transit (BRT) industry, particularly to extend the 12-year bus operating companies’ contracts that are in place across the country. The contracts will all expire... →

Rea Vaya BRT, in Johannesburg

PRASA to resume Shosholoza Meyl operations

By: Irma Venter 8th December 2021 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it is preparing for the resumption of the Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger rail service on December 15. The preparatory work follows the termination of the service at the end of March this year owing to Covid-19. →

Verdant closes private equity-related transactions in South Africa

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th November 2021 Specialist investment bank and investment manager Verdant Capital has closed private equity-related transactions in South Africa, with fund raisings for Bridge Taxi Finance and Retail Capital. Verdant has successfully raised R300-million in debt financing for Bridge Taxi Finance from a small... →

Taxi industry welcomes proposed single ticketing system

By: Irma Venter 12th November 2021 The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) welcomes the proposed roll-out of a single integrated ticket that can be used across all modes of public transport, says NTA spokesperson Theo Malele. He believes that such a system will create “healthy competition” in the public transport space. →

Collaboration highlighted as key to enhance transport in Rosebank

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 29th October 2021 The Rosebank node, in Johannesburg, has experienced considerable growth over the past two decades and transport plays a key role within this space. There are, therefore, a number of issues that need to be rectified in this area and collaboration with all stakeholders is pivotal to achieving this,... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Tasneem Bulbulia
The Rosebank taxi rank

City reports steady progress on Selby BRT depot

By: Schalk Burger 26th October 2021 The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) says the Selby Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) depot is progressing towards practical completion in one of the heavier industrial nodes in the inner city. The depot will minimise traffic congestion between depots and route starting points and will also be used for... →

City of Joburg unveils Africa’s largest intermodal transport hub

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 13th October 2021 The City of Johannesburg on October 12 officially unveiled Africa’s largest intermodal transport hub – the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange (JITI) on the west of Park Station, in Newtown. The unveiling was led by Johannesburg mayor Mpho Moerane, who was accompanied by the... →

The taxi industry welcomes the proposed single ticketing system – NTA

By: Irma Venter 7th October 2021 The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) welcomes the proposed roll-out of a single integrated ticket that can be used across all modes of public transport, says NTA spokesperson Theo Malele. He believes that such a system will create “healthy competition” in the public transport space. →

Western Cape govt launches the Atlantis Red Dot Taxi service

By: Yvonne Silaule 4th October 2021 Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has officially launched the Atlantis Red Dot taxi Service as part of Transport Month at the Saxonsea vaccine site. He was accompanied by the provincial Transport and Public Works Minister Daylin Mitchell and Health Minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo. →

Commuter mobility platform to expand in Africa and beyond after raising R175m

By: Irma Venter 1st October 2021 Zeelo, a smart commuter mobility platform for organisations in South Africa and Europe, has raised R175-million to accelerate its expansion in Africa, the UK, the US and Europe. The funding will also aid investment in Zeelo’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology offering, and its continued... →

Ventilation, vaccination needed to make indoor spaces safe, says GreenFlag Association

By: Schalk Burger 1st September 2021 While the speedy, effective roll-out of vaccinations is fundamental to South Africa’s economic recovery, the Covid-19 Delta variant has changed the way the disease can be passed on. To make all indoor spaces as safe as possible, sufficient ventilation to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission... →

Association highlights the importance of transport

27th August 2021 African Rail Industry Association CEO Mesela Nhlapo has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing and technical business development and has been the CEO of the African Rail Industry Association since 2017. →

CEO An image of, the CEO of the African Rail Industry Association

MESELA NHLAPO It is important for women to support each other and “particularly for women that want to enter the rail space

Automobile Association opposed to proposed Gautrain route extensions

By: Irma Venter 27th August 2021 Proposed Gautrain route extensions must be rejected by the Gauteng provincial government, as they will perpetuate a system which “caters for the minority of citizens who don’t need it, instead of the mass market which does”, says the Automobile Association (AA). The AA made a detailed submission... →

City of Cape Town announces new transport mayco member

By: News24Wire 19th August 2021 Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato has announced that Hout Bay ward councillor Rob Quintas will be the City of Cape Town's new mayoral committee (mayco) member for transport. Plato made the announcement on Thursday during a council meeting. →

Gautrain a white elephant, its extension unacceptable – AA

By: Irma Venter 13th August 2021 Proposed route extensions to the Gautrain must be rejected by the Gauteng provincial government, as this will perpetuate a system which “caters for the minority of citizens who don’t need it, instead of the mass market which does”, says the Automobile Association (AA). The AA made a detailed... →

Image of a passenger boarding the Gautrain

Commuter mobility platform Zeelo raises R175m for expansion project

By: Irma Venter 11th August 2021 Zeelo, a smart commuter mobility platform for organisations in South Africa and Europe, has raised R175-million to accelerate its expansion in Africa, the UK, the US and Europe. The funding will also aid investment in Zeelo’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology offering, and its continued... →

Gibela confident of meeting train production targets despite impact of Covid-19

By: Irma Venter 6th August 2021 Gibela has, to date, delivered 66 of the 600 X’trapolis Mega commuter trains it is scheduled to deliver to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) by the end of 2028. Eighteen of these trains were manufactured in Brazil, with the remaining 48 produced in a newly built plant in Nigel, on... →

Company steers through Covid-19 challenges

By: Theresa Bhowan-Rajah 30th July 2021 Railroad equipment supplier and manufacturer Gibela has not been immune to the challenges posed by the pandemic, particularly those presented by the third wave. “We have experienced a rise in cases within our company, which is impacting on operations. Most of our suppliers were also affected by... →

Gibela procurement executive Colette Yende stands outside in front of a train set at Gibela's premises

COLETTE YENDE What Covid-19 has taught us is to have and implement an alternative plan

Passenger rail agency fails to meet capex targets

By: Irma Venter 23rd July 2021 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) capital expenditure (capex) programme has failed to meet its targets, says CEO Zolani Matthews. “Sadly, this has also affected PRASA’s modernisation programme. →

Gibela confident of meeting production targets despite impact of Covid-19

By: Irma Venter 21st July 2021 Gibela has, to date, delivered 66 of the 600 X’trapolis Mega commuter trains it is scheduled to deliver to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) by the end of 2028. Eighteen of these trains were manufactured in Brazil, with the remaining 48 produced in a newly built plant in Nigel, on... →

Image of a train being produced at the Gibela factory in Nigel

The Gibela train factory at Nigel

Security, restoring public transport ‘that enables’ top new PRASA boss’s to-do list

By: Irma Venter 16th July 2021 There are a number of areas that require urgent attention within the operations of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), says CEO Zolani Matthews. Last week, Matthews delivered his 100-day report card as the new head of the embattled State-owned rail entity. →

Gauteng govt seeks input on proposed Gautrain extension

By: Simone Liedtke 12th July 2021 Gauteng Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo has confirmed that his department intends to determine a route for Phase 1 of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Integrated Network extensions in terms of the province’s Transport Infrastructure Act. The proposed route starts at the Little... →

Metrorail, Rea Vaya services suspended amid violent protests

By: Schalk Burger 12th July 2021 Urban rail services provider Metrorail has suspended its operations in Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg's Rea Vaya bus rapid transit system has suspended operations amid ongoing violent protests. "This is owing to the chaotic scenes [protests] that are witnessed in Johannesburg and now... →

Thesele concludes acquisition of Bidvest Car Rental

By: Schalk Burger 8th July 2021 Investment holding company the Thesele consortium has concluded its acquisition of car rental chain Bidvest Car Rental (BCR) Group from JSE-listed investment management company Bidvest following approval by the competition authorities. The purchase includes the full portfolio of BCR, consisting... →

PRASA’s capex programme has failed to meet its targets, renewed roll-out effort started – Matthews

By: Irma Venter 7th July 2021 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) capital expenditure (capex) programme has failed to meet its targets, says CEO Zolani Matthews. “Sadly, this has also affected PRASA’s modernisation programme. →

Security, restoring public transport ‘that enables’ priorities for new PRASA boss

By: Irma Venter 6th July 2021 There are a number of areas that require urgent attention within the operations of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), says CEO Zolani Matthews. Matthews on Tuesday delivered his 100-day report card as new head of the troubled State-owned rail entity. →

Zolani Matthews

Govt can do more to integrate minibus taxis in broader public transport planning

By: Simone Liedtke 6th July 2021 Until a more virtuous cycle of positive experiences can be established, the potential of the paratransit sector to be accepted as a significant player in the urban mobility systems of Africa in the future remains doubtful, says Organisation Development Africa MD Nico McLachlan. Paratransit, or... →

Naspers invests R42m in WhereIsMyTransport

By: Irma Venter 2nd July 2021 Naspers has announced a R42-million investment in Cape Town-based WhereIsMyTransport. The investment is part of a R201-million funding round led by Naspers Foundry, Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund and SBI Investment. →

Solar minibuses for Africa? Data seen as key to green transport switch

30th June 2021 As emissions from African transport surge, governments need to find ways to encourage a shift to cleaner, healthier electric vehicles, especially among the minibus and motorcycle taxis that dominate transport in many cities, researchers said on Thursday. Investment in generating more... →

Alstom Ubunye appoints Logan Naicker as new CEO

By: Irma Venter 29th June 2021 Alstom Ubunye has announced the appointment of Logan Naicker as its new CEO. Naicker has more than 25 years of experience in leadership roles in the rail and automotive industries, including Union Carriage and Wagon, Bombardier Transportation South Africa, Ford Motor Company and Toyota. →

Logan Naicker

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