Council talks to bus, taxi trade

THE eThekwini Municipality held a meeting with the taxi and bus industry to discuss its fleet procurement report.

The report, tabled and approved by an executive committee last month, said the city needs R325 million to replace existing buses and more than R700m for new vehicles for the C3 Go Durban Corridor, with the funds needed for the next three years.

A statement made to The Mercury by the municipality, taxi and bus industry leadership yesterday said they were engaged in negotiations.

“This is to determine how best to implement the new public transport system with the affected operators. The tabling and acceptance of the report at the executive committee meeting does not pre-empt the negotiations on the setting up and structure of the vehicle operating companies and the ultimate ownership of the bus fleet. The negotiations include the procurement and ownership of the bus fleet,” they said.

The Mercury earlier this month reported that opposition councillors had felt “uneasy” that the proposed purchases would mean that the city would be buying new buses for Durban’s bus transport operator, Tansnat, despite the difficult relationship the company has with the city.

“At the negotiations, the parties will propose their relevant negotiation positions, which still need to be tabled within this process. These matters are to be further discussed and agreements will be concluded,” read the statement.

It also stated that the date for the C3 rapid bus transit route implementation, between KwaMashu and Pinetown, is subject to the finalisation of operational agreements between the city and its operators.