TRANSPORT deputy minister Lisa Mangcu held a meeting with the South African Bus Rapid Transit Association (Sabrata) to discuss the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Tshwane on Friday, 19 April.
This was his first meeting as deputy minister, during which he engaged with various stakeholders.
"Sabrata represents BRT managers or owners. The meeting allowed industry leaders to voice their concerns," he said.
One of the key issues raised was the limitation of BRT contracts to 12 years, which stakeholders believe didn't afford them sufficient time to recoup investments and generate profit.
They also highlighted an uneven playing field, compared to long-established bus operators and mentioned that some municipalities didn't recognise them, which hinders their operation, skills transfer, and involvement in the BRT value chain.
"The BRT was initiated by government to empower the taxi industry," Mangcu said.
He committed to opening discussions around contract terms in the seventh administration, acknowledging that legislative changes were necessary.
"We don't change legislation with just one meeting in one boardroom," he said.
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Mangcu agreed there was a need to explore best ways to meet these challenges halfway and emphasised the importance of ongoing dialogue to take action before issues spiral out of control.
"We'll suggest to the seventh administration the idea of an indaba, a large meeting to bring together bus operators, to discuss common issues and find solutions," he said.
He said talks with municipalities were ongoing.
"This meeting was to acknowledge their efforts and provide a unified platform for dialogue with the government," Mangcu said.
Sabrata chairman Andile Peter expressed hope about the meeting's outcomes and the prospect of regular discussions to address BRT issues, especially from the taxi industry's perspective.
Deputy president of the National Taxi Association, Piet Mahlangu echoed this sentiment, emphasising a need for government recognition.
