Taxi Group Boycotts BRT Negotiations in Johannesburg

One taxi industry group in Johannesburg is standing strong against the city's two-year old plans to implement a citywide bus rapid transit system. The taxi organization worries that the separated lanes for the bus system will cut into the taxi business.

The taxi industry signed a memorandum of agreement with the City of Johannesburg on the BRT in 2007 and a steering committee composed of representatives from the industry has been negotiating with the city on the subject.

However, Ralph Jones, chairman of the United Taxi Association Forum (Utaf), said the forum recalled its members from the steering committee last year because it "did not represent our interests … We will not sit in the same room with the BRT steering committee."

Rehana Moosajee, head of Johannesburg transport, who told the Mail & Guardian that the city is open to negotiation with Utaf, condemned the forum's attitude.

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Utaf represents about 30 taxi associations in Gauteng -- about one-sixth of the region's 183 associations. It handed over a memorandum addressed to ANC president Jacob Zuma during Tuesday's strike.

Source:
Taxis cuss the bus
Mail & Guardian
March 27, 2009