Taxi industry body Gibela Namela Holdings and the citizen-led NPC, Jozi My Jozi (JMJ), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to implement a number of interventions aimed at strengthening Johannesburg’s minibus taxi industry. The agreement follows extensive discussions that have been underway for the past 18 months and forms part of Project Unite, one of Jozi My Jozi’s Public Transit Revitalisation programmes.
The programme works with taxi associations to improve the systems that support public transport, from taxi rank safety and cleanliness to driver well-being and skills development.
The partnership is intended to create a more structured operating environment that benefits both the industry and the millions of people who rely on minibus taxis every day.
“The taxi industry is one of Johannesburg’s most important economic sectors,” says Innocent Mabusela, CEO of Jozi My Jozi. “In the lead-up to the historic signing of this MOU, we have spent many months engaging with industry leadership because lasting solutions have to be developed with the people who operate the system every day.
“The taxi industry has the knowledge and the reach,” he continued. “Our role is to work alongside it to build systems that strengthen the industry over time.”
The partners believe technology will play a central role in supporting the proposed business model by establishing a Smart Mobility Transit. Programmes that will be discussed as part of the rollout plan include:
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Project Dignity for taxi rank cleaning and upkeep
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Project Protect for improving security at taxi rank
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Project Heal that focuses on taxi drivers’ mental and physical health
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Project Learn for driver skills development
“As the CoJ taxi industry, we believe this partnership with Jozi My Jozi will derive many valuable initiatives that change the landscape of this extensive industry going forward, from the associations and operators, to taxi rank infrastructure and the commuters at large,” says Themba Gcabashe, Gibela Namela Holdings’ Business Development Executive.
Lutando Maboza, Executive Director: City of Johannesburg Transport, who was also present at the signing of the MOU stated that the partnership is supported by the city in its endeavour to improve the overall public transport user experience.