Gauteng
MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure has met representatives from
the Commuter Forums from regions across the province to discuss
transport-related issues affecting commuters. The meeting took lace on
Saturday, 15 August 2020.
The
gathering provided a platform for commuter representatives to voice their
concerns and frustrations to the MEC around various challenges they are face
with.
Amongst
issues raised by representatives included unroadworthy busses; fare increases
without consultation; long term bus contracts not benefitting commuters,
limited or no bus operations in certain areas; unreliable bus schedules as well
as impact of COVID9 on commuters. 
Referring
to the meeting, MEC Mamabolo indicated that “this engagement is one of our
interventions aimed at building a smart transport system and finding solutions
to challenges faced by commuters”. 
They
further requested that a tag system be introduced, replacing the current ticket
system, which they felt disadvantages commuters in cases where busses do not
operate on particular days. 
The
representatives also appealed to the provincial government to look into the
issue of subsidized bus contracts by setting up a Commission of Inquiry. 
Forums
further requested the convening a Provincial Public Transport Commuters Indaba
where all issues affecting commuters will be discussed. 
The
MEC gave an undertaking to convene the Indaba post COVID19 and encouraged representatives
to submit a memorandum of their demands to be part of agenda. 
"We
will continue to do our best to ensure that commuter issues are heard and
addressed. The meeting laid a basis for the Public Transport Commuters Indaba
and we will continue to hold further engagements ahead of the Indaba" said
the MEC. 
He
further emphasised the importance for consistent and continuous engagements
with public transport users in the province. 
"We
are continuously working on improving and modernising our public transport
system and engagements with stakeholders assist us in understanding the
challenges faced by our communities. Central to our interventions is the
Gauteng Transport Authority (GTA) that will ensure that planning and
implementation of public transport systems  across all five regions is
integrated".