Cross-post from Durban transport thread...
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Looks like we may see taxis entirely banned from the CBD, which would be great. The downside is that the buses that replace them may be controlled by the taxi industry and and driven by ex-taxi drivers. Let's hope if this occurs that they function as buses and not glorified mini-bus taxis (loud noise, bad driving, overcrowding etc). City must keep a tight leash on the system.
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Taxis to rule KZN transport system?
March 18 2009 at 04:08PM
By Heinz de Boer
Durban's political and administrative leaders have not ruled out any options, including proposals that the local taxi industry take over portions of the city bus contract in an attempt to get commuters moving again.
While both the taxi industry and city continue to play their cards close to their chests, city manager Michael Sutcliffe on Tuesday said the taxi industry was "organising itself to become a (bus) operator".
If ultimately approved and if successful in its tender bids, the taxi industry would likely run the potentially lucrative inner city bus routes that cover nearby residential areas such as the Berea, Ridge and Glenwood.
This would be in line with Durban's vision of "banning taxis" from the busy city centre.
Sutcliffe would however not confirm that the KZN Transport Alliance, which has been in negotiations with the municipality this week, had been formally asked to "take over" the bus contract.
"Informally the taxi industry has indicated for some time that they want to get involved. If you look at the inner city now, there are taxis all over the place and we need a more efficient transport system. This may be the perfect opportunity to get taxis out of the city," Sutcliffe said.
But first Remant Alton, the company that has been placed on notice that it is in breach of its contract, would have to respond to the city's demand that it resume operations or face final termination of its contract.
"We have indicated that they are in breach and we first have to finalise that matter one way or another. Secondly, we have to deal with the immediate emergency, and will over the next week speak to rail, taxi and bus companies to help where they can. I will also be making an appeal to business to help establish lift clubs," Sutcliffe said.
Importantly, the city said it had not excluded the possibility of roping bus drivers into playing a major role in managing the service again.
Asked if drivers would be employed by the municipality, Sutcliffe said such a move may prove to be prohibitively expensive.
Drivers went on strike recently after demands to be re-employed by the council. The city had then said legislation prevented the city from running a bus service.
"Law allows us to outsource (the service) to companies, but if the city runs the service, we will have to pay the full subsidies, because the national government will not pay us the subsidy. Right now we are looking at all options and possible models to run the service."
While plans continue to get the service running again, the city said its focus was now on repairing and renovating the 450 buses, many of which were bought back from Remant Alton late in 2008.
"We are getting all the buses fixed. It is not major stuff, but we hope to boost our number from the about 150 running now, to the 450 that are available and in good condition," Sutcliffe said.
Mayor Obed Mlaba, who was on Monday asked to take responsibility for the bus fiasco or resign, said the provincial and national government may also be roped in to formulate new transport plans.
"This is not a city issue alone, there are other spheres of government that will also be involved," Mlaba said.
heinz.deboer@inl.co.za
This article was originally published on page 2 of Daily News on March 18, 2009
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...5359129C964780