Jason Felix
MITCHELLS PLAIN residents say their transport troubles with errant taxi drivers and time-consuming bus rides are over.
Since the launch of the MyCiTi N2 Express service to Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha two months ago, close to 4 000 people have registered to use the buses between the central city and the two townships.
Those who used to travel by minibus taxi and Golden Arrow Bus say the MyCiTi service is convenient and faster than other public transport modes.
Amien van Wit, who has been using MyCiTi for two weeks, said: “I’ve been impressed with everything since day one.
“These buses are clean, it is so smart and comfortable. Sitting in the bus is enjoyable and that makes your journey nice. But the most important aspect of this service is that it links with other areas conveniently.
“When I get to the Civic Centre I can, within minutes, board another bus to a different area.
“I simply use my MyCiTi card and go as I please. The myconnect card also means I don’t have to carry cash, which is a plus.”
Commuters remained upbeat about the service, even amid MyCiTi buses being delayed by up to an hour by the disruptions caused by the protest at the Nyanga public transport interchange.
Leeyanca Jannet said: “I think this service has done only good for Mitchells Plain. So many people are boarding these buses. They make our lives easier because they have far fewer stops than Golden Arrow buses.”
Jannet said the city should begin introducing the MyCiTi feeder buses planned for Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
“I take the MyCiTi bus every day, but my husband has to drop me at the station or I have to take a taxi. There are also times when we need bigger buses. People in Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha now know about the MyCiTi service, so the city can implement its full plan. Everyone would welcome it.”
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille has said MyCiTi was the biggest black economic empowerment project the city had undertaken, with an investment of R6.5 billion.
“The N2 Express service is a noteworthy example of the vision and will of taxi owners who have come on board and worked with the city to achieve a smooth and successful industry transition.”
Negotiations with the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta), Route Six, and Golden Arrow Bus Services were concluded after a number of setbacks and delays. De Lille said up to 66 percent of the company that ran the MyCiTi N2 Express service on the Cape Flats was owned by Codeta and the Route Six Taxi Association.
The money invested includes:
l R2.5bn in the form of long-term operating contracts, empowering former taxi owners.
l Codeta and the Route 66 Taxi Association formed a vehicle operating company with Golden Arrow Bus Services and signed a three-year contract with the city, worth around R300 million, to run the service.
l For the N2 Express, the city made a capital investment of R200m for the construction of bus stations and stops and the procurement of buses.
l More than R2.5m will be spent on training drivers – at a cost of R29 000 a driver – for the N2 Express service alone.
l Since the launch of the MyCiTi service, the city has invested about R6.7m to train 447 drivers on all active MyCiTi routes.
“Industry transition has allowed former taxi owners to establish the vehicle operating company that manages the MyCiTi service, along with the Golden Arrow Bus Service. By September, 88 former taxi drivers will have been trained for the N2 Express service.
“Being part of MyCiTi operations means drivers and staff have fixed employment benefits such as medical aid, pension, leave, fixed working hours and a stable employment framework.”