METROBUS GETS A LIFELINE

Nie Cele
Asiphe Cokile
Tswarello Monyane

Noisy smoking engines, daily breakdowns and growing complains from the commuters will now be a thing of the past, thanks to the roll out of a high tech fleet for Metrobus. The new buses are expected to hit the road today.
Launched under a programme called “New Beginning for Metrobus.” At Milpark Depot, Christine Walters, Member of the Mayoral Committee on Transportation told the packed workshop that this was a result of a steady board of directors capable of steering this bus company to greater heights. “We did not expect to reach this stage because of many challenges we faced. This will go a long way for commuters who have made Metrobus part of their lives.”

An elated, Managing Director, Mavela Dlamini told the audience that some of their current fleet had long seen its better days and was ageing day by day. He explained that the new buses have been rebranded in new colours that demonstrate safe, reliable and quality transport. “All the new buses will be fitted with a fleet management system that will assist Metrobus to track the fleet all over the City and also monitor the performance of the buses and driving skills of the drivers . This will contribute to the safety of the commuters and other road users.” Dlamini also told this reporter that he was very excited about this roll-out. “ This is what our commuters have been waiting for . Its an absolute fantastic achievement.”

Joburg Mayor, Parks Tau, told the guests that the roll-out was inline with Johannesburg’s long –term growth and development strategy as well as the bus company’s turn-around strategy adding that by June 2016,there will be 190 new buses travelling on the streets of Jozi.
Tau also highlighted that the “New beginning for Metrobus” included the rollout of a new bus fleet consisting of dual fuel buses as well as the conversion and rehabilitation of existing buses to use both diesel and compressed natural gas. “This will contribute to the creation of 110 local jobs in the bus manufacturing sector. The buses have all been locally refurbished by Vehicle Gas Solutions, creating new skilled jobs in the economy.”
The mayor, said, the City was at the beginning of a new journey not only of service to the residents, but a new journey of contributing to the green and blue economy and making this planet more sustainable for present and future generations.

He also stated that the conversion of Metrobus fleet to dual fuel put the City of Joburg as one of the leading cities in the world to promote soot free buses. He also revealed that the City is a member of C40-an organization committed to halting environmental degradation in Cities around the world.
“Metrobus is our biggest initiative to date to encourage the use of biogas in vehicles. Rea Vaya will also follow suit as they roll out to new areas within the City. We are also working with the mini bus taxi industry to support them in converting their taxis to use fuel ,” said Tau.

Did u know?

Metrobus is one of the oldest bus companies in Johannesburg.
Metrobus operates on a 75% subsidy from the City and the rest of its revenue stream is generated from from fare revenue and a sundry.