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Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says that it is encouraging that
the majority of South Africans have thrown their weight behind
government's plans to provide safe, efficient and affordable public
transport.

The Minister's comments follow the launch of the Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT) system to start operation in Johannesburg next week
and initial threats by certain taxi operators to embark on a strike.

At its meeting in Cape Town yesterday (26 August 2009), Cabinet
re-affirmed its commitment to implement the BRT system in partnership
with all stakeholders, particularly the taxi industry.

"We met with the leadership of the South African National Taxi
Council (SANTACO) on Monday (24 August 2009) and we agreed that there
will be no strike and that the launch of BRT operations in Johannesburg
will go ahead with the participation of all stakeholders, including
SANTACO and local taxi operators. Through the recently announced
National Joint Working Group (NJWG) on Public Transport, the taxi
industry and government will work towards the development of a
memorandum of agreement as well as a national empowerment framework for
the taxi industry," the Minister said.

In a statement handed to Minister Ndebele last night (26 August 2009),
SANTACO, the country's biggest taxi organisation, called off its
threatened strike. SANTACO said:"In light of this milestone, SANTACO
hereby withdraws the nationwide strike against the BRT planned for
August 31 2009 and will accordingly inform its structures on its
decision."

This comes as a growing number of organisations have given their
support to the BRT. As part of the NJWG process, other organisations
representing civil society including the South African National Civic
Organisation (SANCO), the South African Commuters Organisation (SACO),
South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), National
Economic Development Labour Council (NEDLAC), Gauteng Commuters
Organisation (GCO), the South African Disability Alliance (SADA) and the
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) met on 22 August 2009
and supported the BRT. These organizations categorically stated that
they disagree with the threats made against the implementation of the
BRT systems as they understand the importance of the implementation of
the BRT project and 2010 guarantees given by the country.

The ANC/SACP/COSATU Alliance in Gauteng and civil society organizations
in other provinces have also urged government to reprimand taxi
operators who seek to hold people to ransom over the implementation of
the BRT.

"As government, we remain committed to providing our citizens with
safe, efficient and affordable public transport. To this end, BRT is an
urban road-based public transport system for the 21st century. It aims
to provide better public transport and benefits for everyone. It will
ensure full accessibility for users with special needs and wheelchairs.
Existing bus and taxi operators will feed into the public transport
system and contract with the relevant municipality on a long-term
basis," said the Minister.