Parliament -Transport Minister, Sbusiso Ndebele, is to resume talks with the taxi industry next Thursday regarding the operations of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT).
Delivering his State of the Nation Address this morning, President Jacob Zuma said the meeting is intended to kick-start a series of engagements with the stakeholders affected by the BRT system.
"We are confident that unresolved issues will be dealt with to the satisfaction of all parties."
And, this will include the important issue of how all stakeholders will benefit from the initiative, the President said.
"In April this year, I gave an undertaking to the taxi industry leadership to defer negotiations relating to the operation of the Bus Integrated Rapid Transit system until after the elections.
"We undertook to allow more time to deal properly with the concerns of the industry. On the 11th of June the Minister of Transport will resume discussions with the industry," he said.
The BRT system is a key component of the Department of Transport's integrated transport network plan which government is implementing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup host cities. It is hoped the system will promote the use of public transport ahead of the soccer spectacle.
This bus system will also have routes leading to the training stadiums and stadiums hosting matches.
When the BRT starts operating, commuters will have access to world-class public transport at very competitive prices.
The system will feature dedicated and segregated bus-only lanes, as well as bus stations that are safe, comfortable, weather-protected and friendly to disabled passengers.
It will run for 18 hours a day from 5am to 11pm and the plan is to eventually extend this to 24 hours a day.
There will be bus stations every 500 metres, with security officers and CCTV cameras linked to a BRT control room.
Earlier this year, taxi operators led a violent protest against the system, saying it was going to put them out of work.
Similar protests have taken place in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
