The City of Johannesburg recently launched three new midibus routes on the Gautrain system.

The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, launched the three new routes at the Gautrain Marlboro Station in Johannesburg.

“Integration is key to ensuring a seamless journey on the public transport system and today we’re launching three new midibus routes to Marlboro Station from Kelvin, Buccleuch and Greenstone Mall,” said Vadi.

Vadi added that the initiative by the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is aimed at facilitating the integration of the taxi industry into the Gautrain system.

“The participation of the taxi industry in the Gautrain system facilitates job creation and the establishment of formal and sustainable businesses within the taxi industry,” said Vadi.

The midibus model has been implemented in other areas along the Gautrain system, such as in Centurion, and it enables the taxi industry to provide scheduled, safe and reliable public transport services that serve as an extension to the Gautrain service.

The midibus operations have proven successful in improving accessibility to public transport and the integration of Gautrain with other public transport services.

Vadi noted that in the last year the midibus operations transported more than 16 000 commuters per month, which increased the train ridership. He said the number of commuters using the midibus service has steadily increased. “This growth is attributed to the planning interventions and the improvement of operational efficiencies of the Gautrain system implemented by the GMA.”

Vadi continued that public transport links and integrates whole communities and facilitates the seamless movement of people, goods and services.

“It also helps us to re-fashion geography and spatially reconfigure the Gauteng City Region along the five development corridors identified by the provincial government.”

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