The Gautrain, Midibus shared value story

The partnership has unlocked the potential of the minibus taxi industry to operate scheduled, safe and reliable public transport services

The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is responsible for the management and overseeing of the Gautrain Project. The Gautrain system connects three metropolitan areas and the economic nodes of the Gauteng Province. In addition, the GMA’S powers and functions have been expanded to encompass other related projects and assist other organs of state to realise the integration and co-ordination of public transport within the Global City Region.

The Agency endeavours to live its purpose: to transform spaces, people and the economy through mobility. Part of the transformation is about enhancing the integration of the Gautrain System with other public transport services within the Gauteng province. An integrated public transport network promotes the use of public transport and supports the economic activities of commuters and the community at large.

In pursuit of this vision, the GMA embarked on an initiative in 2011 to provide a safe, reliable and scheduled Midibus Feeder and Distribution Service (MFDS) from Marlboro Station to Linbro Business Park in partnership with the minibus taxi industry, specifically Alexandra Transport Solutions (Pty) Ltd. An innovative contracting model was formed with the taxi associations operating in the Linbro Park area. Since 2011, more midibus routes have been introduced and are operating at Gautrain Sandton, Marlboro, Centurion and Hatfield stations.

The Midibus Service is founded on the following principles:

• Strategic Partnerships: Formalising partnerships with the participating taxi operators and structuring the entity into sustainable businesses.

• Reliable Public Transport Service: Provision of a scheduled, safe and reliable public transport service by all partners, thus improving the public transport brand perception.

• Job Creation: Creation of sustainable jobs and alleviation of poverty through integration partnerships.

The MFDS initiative aims to provide a scheduled, safe and reliable public transport service that promotes confidence in public transport and encourages commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transport. The programme also provides access to public transport in communities where bus operations are not suitable. The communities where Gautrain midibuses also operate benefit in the following ways:

• Economic empowerment for the taxi

industry.

• Improved employment opportunities. • An integrated transport network.

• A safe public transport system.

• Less congestion on the roads.

• Reduced carbon emissions.

• Reduced stress levels.

• Improved health.

Job Creation

The midibus as a shared value project has lived up to its principles and delivered on its social and environmental fundamentals, which are measurable. The project has transformed people’s lives and the economy by creating jobs. The MFDS partnership model has provided an opportunity for the taxi industry to provide world-class public transport services. It has also afforded the industry a platform to establish and develop sustainable businesses to improve public transport’s operational efficiency and manage revenues and operating costs.

The taxi industry now participates formally in the provincial economy and engages key commercial stakeholders to support the transport industry. The image of public transport has improved. The design of public transport facilities complies with universal access standards, which accommodate disabled people. The GMA is engaging commercial vehicle suppliers to design a vehicle that will improve disability access.

Environmental Sustainability

The Gautrain midibus taxi association model alleviates the “first and last mile challenge” and encourages more commuters to use public transport instead of private vehicles. The GMA has observed an increase in the number of commuters using the Gautrain midibuses. Currently, more than 40 000 people make use of the midibuses monthly at various stations.

This has contributed to the reduction of carbon emissions and congestion on provincial roads caused by private vehicles. The mechanical condition of midibuses used for midibus operations prevents unnecessary oil spillages that could damage the environment. This is achieved through scheduled preventative maintenance of the MFDS fleet, which forms part of the performance measures embedded in the Service Level Agreement.

Economic Impact

During the planning phase, the GMA ensured that the proposed services were financially viable. This was measured using the Financial Cost Model (FCM), which incorporates operational, labour, revenue and monthly profits. The FCM analysis ensured that operational efficiencies were achieved and the services were financially sustainable to benefit the operators. The FCM is reviewed annually based on operational or economic conditions. The FCM has been designed to ensure that MFDS staff members are remunerated above the minimum wage of the taxi industry and that these remuneration rates are reviewed annually.

The Gautrain midibus service has also had positive results to the brand and GMA business in the following ways:

• It allowed for expansion of service to serve areas that could not historically be operated by large vehicles, and so expanded coverage of the primary system.

• It operates in parallel to other services, each providing a defined market segment’s needs.

• The model has been used as the public transport integration model benchmark by setting an example that can be followed for other areas/destinations or by other institutions such as employer societies, ratepayers associations and industrial or commercial estates.

• It has Increased the GMA brand

awareness and value.

• It has allowed for integration in the

business.

• It contributes to the sustainability of the

GMA as a company.

This partnership between the GMA and the taxi association has revolutionised how Gautrain Feeders and Distribution Services will be rolled out in the future. The model has become popular, with metropolitan authorities exploring how they can replicate it. The partnership has also unlocked the potential of the minibus taxi industry to operate scheduled, safe and reliable public transport services, as the sector is regarded as an informal, unsafe and unregulated, public transport system.

Future plans

As part of enhancing the midibus commuter experience. The implementation of an electronic payment pilot test on the midibuses is currently underway. The success of this pilot will enable Gautrain midibuses to move from using a manual ticketing system to an electronic payment system that allows train, bus and midibus passengers to use one seamless payment system. The electronic payment system will also enable passengers to use their own Europay, Master and Visa bank cards to board the midibuses.

SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ gautrain

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegautrain