Wishes of a safe festive season

The MMC for Transport has thanked the public for adhering to the rules and regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.

‘Reliable, safe, accessible, convenient and affordable’ – these are the words Transport Department acting executive head of scheduled services management agency Benny Makgoga used to describe the City of Johannesburg’s transport service and infrastructure.

After a year of overcoming challenges and hurdles, the department is confident that this description is one residents of Johannesburg agree with. Makgoga said, “The year has been challenging due to Covid-19 regulations and compliance on public transport as limited number of passengers were allowed to travel with Metrobus and Rea Vaya BRT for the purpose to [enforce] social distancing and save lives.”

The department recognised that their achievements this year would not have been possible had it not have been for the discipline of the public. Makgoga explained, “Councillor Helen Makhuba (Transport MMC) applauds residents and passengers for taking the responsibility to wear masks and keep social distancing when travelling with Metrobus and Rea Vaya BRT. Passengers also support the call for seating arrangement in the bus to stop the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

To ensure that the department played its part in curbing the spread of the virus, they successfully implemented national public transport regulations and compliance for safe and convenient travel with the City’s public transport.

These included the washing of Metrobus and Rea Vaya BRT buses once a day, disinfection twice per day and providing drivers and staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) and passengers with hand sanitiser at every station.

Rea Vaya stations were also cleaned twice per day, disinfected once a week all while taxi ranks were being deep cleansed and disinfection. Social and physical distancing requirements were adhered to by the department as they maintained an average capacity utilization is 25 per cent even though it would have a devastating impact on revenue and direct cost recovery.

Members of the public ultimately were forced to deal with long queues and waiting times for buses at the stations.

As the roads continue to be a hive of activity, the office of transport will continue to roll out road safety campaigns for public education and awareness for the safety of residents and the public over the festive season.

The safety of passengers and pedestrians has been set as their primary goal for the upcoming period.

Makgoga concluded, “It is important for drivers to buckle up, don’t drink and drive, keep to speed limit and following distance and don’t text and drive.”

Along with promoting the safety of the passengers and pedestrians, the department will continue to encourage passengers and the public to wear masks and keep social distancing.