Pothole report app launched
In light of the launch of the app and the bot, over 50 000 potholes have already been repaired through the Pothole Patrol partnership since the collaboration was formed in May 2021 between the private companies and late Mayor Geoff Makhubo.
Councillor Mpho Moerane, the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, together with Discovery Insure and Dialdirect Insurance, launched a new Pothole Patrol app and Whatsapp bot on October 12 to blast potholes across the City.
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula was also at the launch and said he was impressed with how quickly a pothole was filled at Zoo Park Lake during the demonstration by the pothole patrols.
The smart mobility initiative aims to speed up the process of reporting potholes in Johannesburg, as part of a public-private partnership between the City and Dialdirect, along with Discovery Insure.
In light of the launch of the app and the bot, over 50 000 potholes have already been repaired through the Pothole Patrol partnership since the collaboration was formed in May 2021 between the private companies and late Mayor Geoff Makhubo.
Across the city, repairs were completed in just five months by the City’s entity, the Joburg Roads Agency, using its upgraded environmentally friendly asphalt plant in Selby, and private partners using specialised equipment and additional asphalt sourced from a private supplier.
“We’ve made a considerable dent in solving the challenge of potholes on our roads and are pleased to take the partnership forward as we embark on the next phase, using the app and deepening our use of telematics to identify the areas most sorely requiring intervention by the Pothole Patrol,” said Discovery Insure CEO Anton Ossip.
Anneli Retief, head of Dialdirect Insurance points out, “The Pothole Patrol app is simple to use, it geolocates potholes and provides real-time progress on the potholes’ repair statuses. With the bot, users will also be able to report a pothole and view the status of the repair.”
Moerane said the app and bot launch spells the beginning of Johannesburg’s transformation into a Smart City as outlined in the Joburg Growth and Development Strategy 2040.
“The app and Whatsapp bot being launched today means any of the road users can easily and conveniently report potholes they come across in the City by inserting the specific location to ensure their speedy repairs and also monitor work progress.”
Together with Dialdirect and Discovery Insure, the City is urging motorists to download the Pothole Patrol app from either the Apple AppStore or Google Play. If one prefers to use WhatsApp, they can send the word ‘Hi’ to
084 768 4653 and follow the prompts.
