A new Find & Fix mobile application is expected to assist the public to report potholes, faulty traffic signals, storm water drains, manhole covers, and other infrastructure issues related to Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA).

The JRA is set to launch its Find & Fix mobile application for testing by citizens next month.

This, according to JRA, is to show citizens that it is serious about service delivery.

“The app is the first of its kind to be launched in the Southern Hemisphere, Middle East, Asia, and Africa regions. Another African first for Joburg,” said Skhumbuzo Macozoma, MD of JRA.

The app will feature an accurate location with GPS co-ordinates and make it easy to provide photo evidence, which improves the JRA’s assessment of what is required to fix the fault, thereby enhancing efficiency and increasing productivity.

Once launched, the Find & Fix app will be free and easy to use and can be downloaded for most mobile operating system platforms such as Windows Mobile, Android and iOS for Apple. Issues can be reported with just a few clicks.

“We call on citizens to join in testing this exciting and innovative application. Residents can download the beta testing app for Microsoft platforms from 25 April, Android phones on 2 May and iOS systems on 9 May,” Macozoma said.

The launch of this testing phase for the mobile app is part of the JRA service delivery drive called the “just tell us" campaign, which is an initiative to ensure that the JRA is more accessible to citizens and road users in the city.

The “just tell us” campaign also seeks to promote the active involvement of citizens in the city’s service delivery activities.

“JRA is taking its obligations very seriously, and we urge the community to be actively engaged, and report issues by using available contact points,” Macozoma said.

The JRA has an email address, as well as twitter and Facebook sites to allow residents to interact on platforms convenient to them. JRA is also launching the service delivery mailbox for service frustrations that have not been resolved the first time or as promised.

The JRA encourages residents to report all road and storm water related issues, including potholes to 0860 562 874 or hotline@jra.org.za or on twitter @MyJra or the new JRA Find & Fix app.