Bus firm loses in MyCiTi appeal

THE SUPREME Court of Appeal’s (SCA) dismissal yesterday of an appeal by bus company Golden Arrow, effectively paves the way for the city’s go-ahead with expansion of the MyCiTi bus service.

“Had ( Golden Arrow) succeeded, it could have delayed the roll-out of the BRT system and compromised this administration’s commitment to restructuring the public transport system by providing integrated, affordable, safe and reliable public transport to the residents,” the city’s mayoral committee member for transport, roads and stormwater, Brett Herron, said yesterday.

The city would now continue with negotiations in relation to the N2 Expressway and Phase 2 of the BRT system, including with Golden Arrow.

The appeal stemmed from a dispute the bus company had during MyCiTi negotiations, which resulted in a deadlock.

Golden Arrow had asked the high court to compel the city to have the issues referred to mediation and later, if unsuccessful, to arbitration.

The application was dismissed by the high court in April. Golden Arrow appealed but it was dismissed yesterday by the SCA.

Herron said the city continued to regard Golden Arrow as an “important and valuable partner and stakeholder in our public transport transformation project”.