The Department of Transport was on Thursday morning not aware that a court interdict had been filed by taxi associations in an attempt to suspend the start of the operation of the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system, in Johannesburg.

Deputy director-general of public transport George Mahlalela said that the department had not yet received any information regarding a court interdict to suspend the system.

The United Taxi Association Forum (UTAF) had reportedly filed an emergency court interdict at the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday in an attempt to stop the launch of the BRT system on Sunday, until negotiations between the taxi industry and government could be finalised.

The City of Johannesburg could not immediately be reached for comment.

The legal action comes only days after the Joburg Taxi Industry Negotiating Team for the Phase 1A contract of the BRT system said that it supported the public transport system "in principle".

The team comprised members of the taxi industry in Johannesburg who had been mandated to represent taxi owners from nine taxi associations that would be affected by the implementation of the BRT system.

The Greater Johannesburg Regional Taxi Council, the Top Six Taxi Organisation, the Gauteng Taxi Council and the Gauteng Structure of the National Taxi Alliance were also supporting the team.

However, other taxi associations and taxi structures, such as the UTAF, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and the National Taxi Association, were not in agreement with the Joburg Taxi Industry Negotiating Team.

Santaco last week called on taxi operators to protest against the implementation of the BRT systems, which will be rolled out in 2010 FIFA World Cup host cities across the country.

The R1,6-billion phase 1A of the Johannesburg system was initially set to be operational by June 14, before the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup, but some taxi drivers and operators have protested against its implementation, accusing the city of sidelining some relevant parties.