tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35270822801975875102012-01-16T20:12:19.552+02:00Analysis and comments on developments of Public Transport (and anything related) in South Africa.Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-9522640486136574492011-04-14T11:36:00.000+02:002011-04-14T11:36:38.491+02:00

I finally took the Gautrain last Wednesday. The train is smooth and great to be in but I still think it was a kind of a waste to spend so much money on this project while even our own Metrobus in Jo'burg can't cater for its citiznes. Enough of my complaints.......I was on my way to the Airport (O.R. Tambo) and as a rule I had to get inside the Airport bound coach. Next to me was this wonderful

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-22040968814599897102011-02-17T08:11:00.000+02:002011-02-17T08:11:54.967+02:00

There is no doubt that Jozi people are not happy with the new tolling system in Johannesburg. Yesterday Sbu said if people are not happy to pay the toll they must make use of taxis which was met with revolt by readers who said Sbu must try the taxi himself. Such a response from the Minister of Transport is not well thought me thinks and has to do with our Minister's arrogance. Surely Sbu knows

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-42576846578260464752011-02-16T12:48:00.002+02:002011-02-16T12:48:45.532+02:00

What is your take on the new toll system? Are you going to pay or not?

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-46720753210653195402011-02-16T12:47:00.000+02:002011-02-16T12:47:14.658+02:00

Are the Metrobus (City of Johannesburg) and Rea Vaya striking workers ill advised or fighting for the legitimate issues? I do not have all the facts but I am concerned about what I have read up to so far especially regarding the Metrobus. For those who do not know, Metrobus mainly operates in traditionally old white suburbs in Johannesburg while Rea Vaya operates from Soweto to the CBD. Both

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-71878440923143311892011-01-31T13:59:00.001+02:002011-01-31T13:59:44.955+02:00

If we cant run the current Metro Trains, what makes us think we can run the High Speed Trains? Who is going to use them? It worries me to know that there are people who are treating this High Speed Train project as if they are children. Like a kid, when daddy or mommy brings a new toy home, they quickly forget about the old toy and only play with the new one. The cabinet is expected to give the

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-63934342227241597422011-01-12T14:06:00.000+02:002011-01-12T14:06:14.457+02:00

Its a sad state we are in. Now thieves have turned to stealing our traffic lights in order to make extra monies. Traffic lights are said to be out of order in most intersections around Johannesburg after being vandalised and with the weather being not so nice with lots of rains, this will come as a blow to motorists who have to seat on their cars waiting at intersections. Now reports says that

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-4412210808530268752011-01-04T07:57:00.000+02:002011-01-04T07:57:30.742+02:00

Soon you will not park for free in the streets of Central Jo'burg, Sandton, Rosebank and in Midrand. For a very long time, motorists in Jo'burg have been parking for free and it is said that some would leave their vehicles for hours without moving them causing other car owners not to find parking at all. It is true, getting a parking in Joburg will take you time during peak hours. Not that the

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-36135654344923132422011-01-04T07:42:00.001+02:002011-01-04T07:42:23.382+02:00

To all my readers, happy new year.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-12766596167277112662010-12-08T16:47:00.000+02:002010-12-08T16:47:36.219+02:00

Yep! They are back....this is no joke Sinu. So it was also because of disagreements on new routes, but which routes are they referring to? METROBUS drivers returned to work yesterday after the City of Johannesburg was granted a court interdict forcing them to end their illegal strike . The drivers went on strike on Monday morning in protest against new routes and shift schedules , said

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-51904421738760239612010-12-08T16:29:00.000+02:002010-12-08T16:29:25.723+02:00

Was Peter Bruce of Business Day right when he said we seem not to always get our estimate of infrastructure costs right? Mmm...u decide; Transnet's new 550km-long fuel pipeline between Durban and Gauteng is expected to cost R23.4 billion, more than double the original estimate of R11.1 billion, the project's director said in Sandton, Johannesburg on Wednesday. “This pipeline would have cost R23.4

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-90307322057969731252010-12-07T11:36:00.000+02:002010-12-07T11:36:52.850+02:00

Its surprising that bread cost less in rural areas than in Urban areas, as the article below says. The question is, how do the bread suppliers keep their prices this low? And are these suppliers also supplying the urban areas or is it the rural suppliers who supply to these rural areas at competitive prices? Mmm...this is interesting and unless someone convince me otherwise, I think its the rural

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-24086013284330975122010-12-07T11:19:00.001+02:002010-12-07T11:25:17.849+02:00

Mmmm too bad. We hope that Management and the drivers sort their differences on time and get people to work. Johannesburg Metrobus passengers were left stranded on Monday because of a strike by bus drivers over the new shift system, SABC news reported. "Despite being requested by management to give their input on the new shifts, bus operators have not responded, and now refuse to operate

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-29053941052446960452010-12-06T17:17:00.000+02:002010-12-06T17:17:53.225+02:00

Will we see this happening to other airlines? The fines are for first and business-class passengers traveling domestically who wish to re-book, re-route or would like to cancel their flight and require a refund 24 hours before their scheduled departure,” Abdullah Al-Ajhar, Saudia vice president of public relations, told Arab News, adding that neither economy class nor international passengers

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-70910626421571124432010-12-06T07:24:00.000+02:002010-12-06T07:24:58.854+02:00

Don't laugh at this please! Taxi drivers and their other counterparts in the taxi industry are set to be trained first before they could drive any passengers. Yes, that's according to SANTACO; SANTACO will be launching a training academy that will train drivers, ranks marshals, rank managers and operators to project better customer care and instill customer satisfaction in the commuting public

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-33286197747709642772010-12-03T07:41:00.000+02:002010-12-03T07:41:09.926+02:00

If you too wish to send me something so that I can post it here, please feel free to do so. Good day     The National Road Traffic Regulations have been amended. The amendment is in Government Gazette 33796, Notice number 1113 published on 25 November 2010.  It is called the Seventeenth Amendment and came into force on publication.   A few of the amendments are listed for your information:

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-30080515813843797172010-12-03T07:38:00.000+02:002010-12-03T07:38:25.781+02:00

Oops Artwell, you still going to have to duck a lot of potholes when you drive, even you Sinu. But this is no laughing matter. Its a crises that need to be sorted as soon as possible, according to the CSIR. Read more below; Motorists should brace themselves for more potholes this coming rainy season due to lack of maintenance on many South African roads, the Council for Scientific and Industrial

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-21196956823918493132010-12-02T16:39:00.000+02:002010-12-02T16:39:39.351+02:00

It was a familiar situation. I was in a group of 15 people checking in at Cape Town International two Fridays ago for our late-afternoon SA Airways return flight to Johannesburg. Despite arriving just over an hour before departure, we were told the flight was over booked and that we were among 30 passengers who would have to take later flights. But when? The next SAA flight was also full. And

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-4437799625150167502010-12-02T07:51:00.000+02:002010-12-02T07:51:23.905+02:00

Good news friends! I will be studying for my Masters at UJ next year with complements from South African Road Federations. If you would like to apply for their bursaries, please visit them here

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-10806855611772022032010-12-02T07:49:00.000+02:002010-12-02T07:49:47.601+02:00

As far as I know, this is not the first in Africa. The Zim/Zambia border is also operational and it would make economic sense for African countries to initiate such projects, not only for freight or public transport but for every mode. The times where one has to spend valuable hours at the border sorting the paper work is the times of the past. If Europe can do it, why not Africa?

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-30925834619265392692010-11-10T09:25:00.000+02:002010-11-10T09:25:20.931+02:00

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) is set to implement its open-road tolling system in April next year, and the cost structure has come under the spotlight -- how exactly hidden costs will be passed on to the consumer. The routes that will be affected are the N1 from Pretoria, the R24 to the R21 to Pretoria and Johannesburg's ring roads on the Randburg and Alberton routes. There

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-83171236443230720102010-11-09T14:02:00.001+02:002010-11-09T14:03:58.675+02:00

canberra: a new circulator network for the national coreWashington DC has its downtown circulator, and now the Washington DC of Australia, Canberra, has one too. What's more, my clients in Canberra created their circulator for almost zero in new operating costs, using an old trick of mine. Starting next week, four color-coded lines will provide frequent links among all the major toursit

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-37200107194641054062010-11-05T16:56:00.000+02:002010-11-05T16:56:52.918+02:00

Friends, here is the update. View Big Brother in a larger map

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-12864886720517626492010-11-05T16:51:00.001+02:002010-11-05T16:51:32.034+02:00

You should be worried when your most trusted men are so corrupt. Perhaps, Pig spotter is correct to call them pigs and to alert citizens about their wherebouts. Read below; MORE than 10 percent, or 476, of the Joburg metro police department’s (JMPD) staff complement have been investigated internally in the past year for allegations ranging from theft to bribery, assault and misconduct. But, of

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-75837168505477392732010-11-05T16:41:00.000+02:002010-11-05T16:41:36.577+02:00

"Fuc*!" This is what I said to myself when I opened the learner's license question paper yesterday when I went to the Randburg Civic center to write my learner's license. The questions on the paper had the answers underlined by the previous learners who used them to write and the authority never minded giving us the same papers. So, for all the answers that I did not know, I referred to what the

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-58846031570821192782010-11-04T17:11:00.001+02:002010-11-04T17:11:46.169+02:00

Hello all, Sorry for not being so available as I used to. Well, this is not going to change, because my new job is really taking a lot of time I used to have before...but I am not complaining he he. In any case, a week back my wife asked me how long does it take for the JRA to fix a robot that is not working. I thought that was a good question which I did not have a straight answer. So like

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-57744234843365366912010-11-02T17:13:00.000+02:002010-11-02T17:13:37.854+02:00

Acting CEO Chris Wells is out, a day after his boss Barbara Hogan was outsted by President Jacob Zuma for non performance. So we wonder who is going to replace him. This is despite Transnet doing well under his leadership though he was in an acting position, according to media commentators (though there were some bad stories under his belt - think the PRASA Vs Transnet dispute??).

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-47742757681687361972010-11-01T16:33:00.001+02:002010-11-01T16:41:09.475+02:00

Contracrary to what I promised here, I am unable to complete the project within the set time which was yesterday. I have since changed jobs and my new job is giving me a hell of a time. I simply cant find time like I used to in the last job. Thank you.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-14022286129513530032010-11-01T15:07:00.000+02:002010-11-01T15:07:20.781+02:00

Its been a while but I am glad that I am back and I am sorry for not warning you about the dissappearance. While away, I read this story below and I thought it will be interesting for you. Happy readings WHILE Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele continues to tout high-speed rail as the preferred mode of transport of the future, the reality is that SA’s long-distance passenger train service may soon

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-64841558526072732632010-10-19T11:57:00.000+02:002010-10-19T11:57:39.066+02:00

As we have reported here, do not forget that Gautrain buses will be offering free rides tomorrow, 20th October 2010,  Wednesday to celebrate Car Free Day. If you happen to be in the CBD, you can also catch a free ride on the Rea Vaya on their Inner City Distribution. If you are a tourist around Johannesburg, do not forget to check all those tourist attractions points. 

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-62132709245200331412010-10-19T08:07:00.000+02:002010-10-19T08:07:46.313+02:00

Is it not a shame that PRASA and Transnet has not resolved their dispute as I reported here, and yet the same department responsible for one of the entity wants to introduce a fast train between Durban and Johannesburg. No wonder some people are against the Durban - Johannesburg project.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-40060033448779833482010-10-15T14:47:00.000+02:002010-10-15T14:47:10.894+02:00

Just an update on the above mentioned project as reported here, the project is going well but not as fast as I initially thought. However, October 31 is still our deadline.  Visit the map below for an update; View Pretoria/Tshwane  Bus Routes - Part of Mapping SA Cities' Public Transport Routes in a larger map

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-3068044119757349372010-10-14T08:45:00.000+02:002010-10-14T08:45:54.459+02:00

Gautrain is offering free rides on the 20th October 2010. This is part of their contribution to SA's Car Free Day where they will be encouraging car owners to leave their cars at home (and probably a marketing strategy for their half empty buses). This offers does not include a ride on their trains. Sorry.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-83911791184135248472010-10-12T16:38:00.000+02:002010-10-12T16:38:49.326+02:00

I have a friend who posts pictures of Johannesburg whenever he could. His blog is Johannesburg Daily Photos and if you hate reading long posts like mine, his are short and you may enjoy them. Check one of his posts.  Don't you think the old Park station is cool? Old Park Station... Some of the the most adorable structures that can be found in Johannesburg and that is the structure that used

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-18445322697161077582010-10-08T15:53:00.003+02:002010-10-08T16:29:10.589+02:00

The day that will make some South African car users residing in Gauteng not to remember is getting closer. That day will be when SANRAL finally start charging each car owner who chooses to make use of their national roads (see map below). That day is somewhere in the second quarter of 2011. View New Roads to be Tolled and Alternative Routes in a larger mapFor those (including me) who argued that

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-16916005471318814892010-10-08T10:40:00.007+02:002010-10-08T14:28:21.102+02:00

The good thing about having a Google alert is that you also get to see stories that you never intended to receive in the first place. I just came across such a story, that of Tax on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) which is being proposed in the USA and some European countries - a tax charged to motorists based on the kilometers traveled instead of the fuel consumed by the vehicle. Its an interesting

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-56314043408692459442010-10-07T14:13:00.004+02:002010-10-07T14:45:53.086+02:00

This is not one of those jokes you get on April 1...this is true as it gets. SAA, the South African national carrier is to scrap its Durban to Cape Town routes from November 1st. If you are obsessed with SAA and you find yourself in Durban wanting to go to Cape Town or vice versa, you can make use of the Mango low cost airline as SAA is going to ask its customers to make use of the low cost

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-26903324320182602162010-10-06T15:55:00.003+02:002010-10-06T16:15:47.603+02:00

You may be aware that the City of Tshwane is still yet to implement its Phase 1 BRT project (please see slide number 7 and 8 on the presentation below). They are now looking for the Project Leader who will be responsible for the implementation o the project among others. If you would like to join the City in their BRT division, here is your chance. You can apply here. The application closes on

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-19632844910927414602010-10-06T09:21:00.003+02:002010-10-06T09:52:25.188+02:00

If it is to be believed, the much awaited (well not by everyone) AARTO system will be implemented next year while the demerit point (part of AARTO) will be announced early next year. With South African roads being the most dangerous in the world, we certainly need this demerit point. However, this can only be of use if South Africans start reporting police officers who bribes and vice versa. Also

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-45546854270105077362010-10-06T08:40:00.000+02:002010-10-06T08:46:00.086+02:00

The bus lane on the M4 motorway into London is under attack by the new Conservative/LDP government. Some HT readers wonder if this is a fatal flaw of all forms of BRT that rely on highway bus lanes. The BBC tells the story:[The M4 lane] lets buses, coaches, licensed black taxis and motorcycles speed towards London, while the rest of the motorway’s vehicles often ended up crawling, especially at

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-77219250725835283042010-09-28T15:28:00.002+02:002010-09-28T15:49:41.195+02:00

There was no doubt that this project will not receive its attention when Sbu Ndebele, the minister of Transport announced about the planned Durban - Joburg fast train. Yesterday, he announced that the process of testing the market will start in October, which I am not sure whether this involves a thorough feasibility Study or if its just a pre-feasibility study.Read more about the story from

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-24116140718292790272010-09-28T12:21:00.003+02:002010-09-28T12:34:45.390+02:00

You may be familiar with the Business Day vehicle emission tax debate as I posted here and here. The latest defender of the tax is no other than Mr. Brent Cloete whose article appeared yesterday on Business Day. He argues that the tax is a good start even though we do not have cleaner fuels in South Africa. You can read his articles below or here. What I also learned is that double cabs are not

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-8658949193203058982010-09-27T12:00:00.000+02:002010-09-27T15:08:39.121+02:00

Last Wednesday, 22 September 2010 Gautrain reached its 1 million passengers mark since its inception few days before the FIFA World Cup. According to Gautrain, the milestone coincided almost exactly with 100 days of operation. It is not known if the 1 million is based on the number of passengers who made use of the train or the number of tickets bought. If it is the latter, then it should be a

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-90533164907280975862010-09-22T13:17:00.000+02:002010-09-22T13:19:16.908+02:00

Carfree day in Bogota, Colombia circa 2007. Photo by themikebot.Given that tomorrow, September 22, is World Carfree Day, we thought we’d share a bit of the most exciting events happening around the world. You can find a full list of events on the World Carfree wiki page. For a history of World Carfree Day, visit the World Streets Blog.Some highlights by location:Austria: Seven cities will

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-73484341707277718262010-09-17T11:36:00.001+02:002010-09-17T16:11:03.573+02:00

In the previous entry, I argued that it should not only be a prerequisite for taxi drivers to undergo extensive training courses but all public transport drivers. After experiencing an accident in a bus and seeing a bus driver being helpless while we were waiting for an ambulance, I asked myself why can't it be a prerequisite for every driver to have first aid training. I then quickly went to the

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-32698931124225025622010-09-15T11:49:00.000+02:002010-09-16T09:19:35.263+02:00

Some years back, Afriforum compiled a report on Taxis (Mini-Bus Taxis/Midi-Bus Taxis) after the death of a young girl, Bernadine Kruger who was cycling to school in Pretoria when a Mamelodi - Pretoria taxi knocked her off. I read the report which you can find here. At the end of the report, they published some letters from the readers who shared their experiences with taxis. One of the letter

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-83117699710293620282010-09-10T16:39:00.000+02:002010-09-10T16:44:37.839+02:00

This is the map City of Tshwane Bus Routes that I am designing together with a friend using their bus timetables. I hope we finish this by end of October. This came after realizing that the City don't have their transit map for either their buses or any other mode of transport. If successful, we will do the same for the City of Johannesburg. Wish us luck all.View Pretoria/Tshwane Bus Routes -

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-49496180856532549102010-09-10T09:24:00.000+02:002010-09-10T10:28:59.456+02:00

It has only being operating for two months but already its workers have striked twice. First it was the bus drivers employed by Mega express, a company contracted to ferry Gautrain passengers who took in an illegal strike a month back and now the customer services personnel have joined them (though reports states that its not all stations affected). Why is this the case? Is it because the parties

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-62416878474048353662010-09-02T08:32:00.000+02:002010-09-02T09:57:14.806+02:00

I am excited that a project that I was part of , first while at Namela Projects (now called Namela Consultants) and secondly while here at Ingerop South Africa is about to be implemented - The National Transport Master Plan (NATMAP) 2050 project commissioned by the National Department of Transport. The first thing that was announced which was part of the NATMAP 2050 is the high speed rail line

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-4365032892118129412010-08-31T11:53:00.001+02:002010-09-07T12:44:56.038+02:00

What a great idea.........if you are working at the Cape Town International Airport you will get a discounted unlimited trips of R400 per month when using MyCiti IRT. Yes, unlimited trips at only R400 per month. But the trips are not transferable, so you can not buy a ticket and give it to your mom to go to the airport. No, you can not even borrow your dad a ticket to go the CBD. But just how are

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-21645638277731748382010-08-31T10:07:00.000+02:002010-08-31T11:48:30.967+02:00

I thought I should post this article from Autodealer.co.za, since from tomorrow the vehicle emission tax will be kicking in. So, if you are thinking of buying the car tomorrow, why not buy it today, especially if the car you intend buying is a big polluter? Wednesday sees the introduction of the CO2 vehicle emissions (green) tax which will have a significant price and insurancae cost impact on

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-89721491555637916242010-08-30T08:50:00.000+02:002010-08-30T12:43:30.557+02:00

Rea Vaya is celebrating its one year anniversary today. Congratulation to the team....I firmly urge them to keep up the good work. I hope that in years to come, we should still be proud to make use of the buses and every person within the City of Johannesburg should be connected. The journey just begun. Picture: iafrica.com

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-33033246024769114432010-08-30T08:15:00.001+02:002010-08-30T08:25:14.975+02:00

Its not only me who is questioning the idea to build a high speed train from Durban to Johannesburg. Two columnist from Business Day have since wrote against the idea here and here.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-28567707321331326462010-08-24T14:28:00.000+02:002010-09-02T09:43:57.331+02:00

When I read that Mr. Sibusiso Ndebele is in China in a state visit with Mr. President Zuma, the first thing that came into mind was that they should not forget to visit the area bordering North Korea which is devastated by floods in recent weeks. While there, they can also visit Pyongyang, a capital city of North Korea and do anything they want to do without risking being featured on the press.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-6225094864012104392010-08-19T10:41:00.000+02:002010-08-19T15:26:29.909+02:00

Why does it seems like this profession (Transport Economics) is not a profession that most people want to pursue? If so, why is it the case? While at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2006 and 2007, the University had more Logistics (more than 100) student than Transport Economics (less than 20) in our Honours class and most (90%) of the Transport Economics student came from the North West

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-17948334256721767172010-08-19T08:08:00.000+02:002010-08-19T09:32:29.283+02:00

Just what does it mean for public transport users when there is a transport regulator that oversee tariffs and infrastructure development across all public transport modes? Could it mean that passengers will have more say before Putco increases its prices unlike at the moment, where they increase their prices without consulting their customers? Or will this mean that the regulator will force

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-49769338275546746922010-08-17T10:13:00.000+02:002010-08-30T19:36:59.215+02:00

The debate about motor vehicle emissions tax continues and it gets interesting everyday. Ismael Momoniat, a deputy director-general: tax and financial sector policy at the Treasury wrote an article yesterday on Business Day defending why Treasury has included bakkies which was against the wishes of the motor industry.You will recall that I once wrote here that motor companies appealed to the

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-90201975425131250892010-08-16T09:03:00.000+02:002010-08-16T10:51:08.344+02:00

If you have a family member who relies on Shosholoza Meyl long distance trains, you will be saddened to hear that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has cancelled Shosholoza's services for at least two weeks in order to evaluate its passenger rail corridors to determine which of its routes are viable. The company says that revenues have fallen far short of operating costs, and

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-75804731439190429392010-08-13T12:02:00.000+02:002010-08-13T14:00:13.825+02:00

Many of you may be aware of the proposed Media Tribunal and the Protection of Information Act. Under the Act, the state/departments have the power to classify information (for the sake of National Security) they see fit which means Journalists/reporters will not be able to get hold such information. If they do while they are still classified, they can be sent to jail for a maximum period of 25

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-18164411356472924472010-08-13T10:54:00.000+02:002010-08-13T11:05:27.957+02:00

Dear readers,Thanks to Toby for getting this to my attention. News24 is sponsoring an award called South African Blog Awards - 2010 and voting is now open. If you think I deserve to be voted for, please visit here and vote for me. There are more than 20 categories to vote for from the Best Blog about Politics to The Best New Blog. My URL is http://publictransportsouthafrica.blogspot.com/.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-60474544997160108272010-08-13T08:36:00.001+02:002010-08-13T10:43:09.602+02:00

Ask anyone who has visited Metrobus website to check their timetable and they will tell you that the timetable is so hard to understand. Besides the timetable lacking a simple map that shows the routes taken by their buses, the timetable is complicated and does not advice how someone who wants to make a connection should do that.Take for instance myself, I stay in Windsor West and work in Rivonia

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-19956787534289558642010-08-06T10:23:00.001+02:002010-08-13T08:34:56.913+02:00

Last week I visited my family in Tembisa and Ivory Park and I did some observations in the two areas.View Thembisa Map in a larger map1. Public Transport in the two areas is divided into local taxis (operates within a local jurisdiction), taxis that ferries passengers to outside Thembisa, buses and metrorail trains ( Observations were done on the first two modes and to the lesser extent on the

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-14008565732335366352010-08-05T16:08:00.000+02:002010-08-06T10:16:38.238+02:00

Just read about this on Human Transit blog and found it very interesting. I hope you will too.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-56913877200284539142010-08-04T14:28:00.001+02:002010-08-04T15:34:26.662+02:00

Ever since I started receiving google alerts about Transport Companies, I have started receiving alerts(about the two companies) from a source I never received...Hellopeter. Hellopeter lets customers to lodge a complaint on a public forum and offers companies to respond to your responses. Many of you know the site and you may also be aware that not all comments that are sent there are validated.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-15375898697996895822010-08-04T08:56:00.000+02:002010-08-04T09:18:58.862+02:00

Ahhh, Sean Muller could not have said it better when he argues recently on the Business Day that Gautrain discourages social integration between the haves and the haves not. Related post written by me is found hereSEÁN MULLER: Rapid rail links bypass the real issuesTHE flirtation with high- speed rail is a symptom of the government’s preference for trying to solve simple but fundamental

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-52832753949785324812010-08-02T15:06:00.000+02:002010-08-02T16:23:31.983+02:00

Lets say you are a father of a 16 year old boy who is always wearing bling bling despite the fact that you are not employed. You don't ask your child where he gets the money. One day you get home to find your wife crying and you ask her she tells you that the kid has been arrested for stealing bling bling at a nearby shop. Will you be shocked by the news or will you not? If you don't get shocked,

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-55423650201528056702010-07-30T12:22:00.000+02:002010-07-30T13:55:57.202+02:00

This is for all those who are thinking of buying a new car using their bonuses this December.Come September and you will start paying some extra monies for any new car you buy. Why you ask? Our government is introducing a carbon Tax....this is done to discourage you from driving a car....lol not necessarily, but to discourage you buying vehicles that omits more dirt on our beautiful skies and

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-57381795253608583582010-07-28T16:46:00.000+02:002010-07-29T10:11:48.481+02:00

Yesterday The Star reported that if anyone at the Road Traffic Management Corporation is fingered for corruption (one wonders if the report he just received did not) we face the music. We know that the CEO among others approved salary increases in excess of approved limits as reported here. Other allegations include; Spending R4.5-million on provincial workshops, when only R1.5-million

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-6641353778240686142010-07-27T16:52:00.001+02:002010-07-28T16:45:15.681+02:00

For Urban Planners in Johannesburg or in any major cities in South Africa, take note. This article here that appeared on Human Transit is relevant for the South African major cities. We have been singing about integration for a while now....what is needed is ACTION, which we seems to be lacking. I was disappointed when the Gautrain and its buses (which is the latest project) was never forced to

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-45293259759814061742010-07-27T15:28:00.000+02:002010-08-26T11:48:13.159+02:00

Any person who have walked/driven around Johannesburg will know about situations where property owners don't cater for pedestrians by putting gardens from the edge of their yards until to the pavement of the road. This is not good for those who depends on public transport and should be discouraged by the municipalities. Likewise, those who put sidewalks should be encouraged. Any ideas how we can

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-72371947414781027272010-07-27T12:36:00.000+02:002010-07-27T13:08:55.887+02:00

For those who have been following me on my previous Public Transport Blog will remember the buses which have two entrances. Well, I just experienced the disadvantages of having a bus with one entrance and luckily I recorded the event on my wife's cell phone. To see the video, please click here

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-86725440781889712432010-07-27T08:26:00.001+02:002010-07-27T12:03:10.754+02:00

This Sunday I had a great time with my wife and my sister's family at the annual Discovery Radio 702 Walk the Talk at Emmarentia. What I love about this event is that one is able to spend a quality time with family while having fun and exercising. In addition to that, through one's participation one is able to offer disadvantaged children an opportunity to be someone through some monies that goes

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-63192969472455826202010-07-26T16:48:00.000+02:002010-07-26T16:51:44.909+02:00

An interesting discussion about congestion is happening here and I thought you may be interested. Now and then, someone mentions that a particular transit project did not reduce traffic congestion, as though that was evidence of failure. Years ago, politicians and transit agencies would sometimes say that a transit project would reduce congestion, though most are now smart enough not to make

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-57883127142891308792010-07-22T16:11:00.000+02:002010-07-22T16:36:21.841+02:00

Just yesterday while going home a thought came to me about public transport at night. I wondered if there is any study done to determine the economic contribution of jobs performed at night. Jobs that came into my mind are those done by electricians, waiters and waitresses, security personnel, etc. I then also wondered how the unavailability of unscheduled or scheduled public transport have any

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-31271812589328333512010-07-21T09:05:00.001+02:002010-07-21T14:07:47.202+02:00

You may have heard that SAA is trying to recoup some monies that its former CEO, Mr. Khaya Ngqula misused while CEO of the company. The monies claimed, which amounts to R30, 8 - million is made out of the following;An unauthorised bonuses for executives worth R27-million;R3,3-million that Ngqula had allegedly spent on hiring hospitality suites in various sports stadiums; andAt least R500 000 for

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-17784781091615275152010-07-20T16:44:00.000+02:002010-07-20T16:56:20.876+02:00

When Rea Vaya decided to re-route their normal service to transport the Soccer World Cup fans I fumed and argued that one need to take care of its citizens first. I did not know that Rea Vaya was not the only one until I saw this report below today on The Sowetan. For those who do not know where the westrand is, you may see the area here;Still no train ridesTRAIN commuters on the West Rand have

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-32496891261114303822010-07-20T09:12:00.001+02:002010-07-20T09:34:33.070+02:00

Having experienced the same issue with PUTCO buses, I must say I agree with the Gautrain customer whose questions to Gautrain were posted on Moneyweb. The questions were about the remaining trips that get expired after a month if one bought a monthly pass. Also, because customers never do trips on Saturdays and Sundays, they think that they are being ripped off which is the case with PUTCO buses.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-41635110678036309812010-07-20T07:09:00.000+02:002010-07-19T10:20:07.707+02:00

What does it says about a city when its bus system does not attract enough passengers? First it was Rea Vaya when they canned their inner city distribution system back in November 2009 due to "poor patronage" as commuters preferred to walk. Now, MyCiti buses in Cape Town will no longer be operating in the inner city, their reason.....the service was only part of the world cup (enews) while Long

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-79295185012895919702010-07-19T14:31:00.001+02:002010-07-19T14:44:04.129+02:00

For any consultant or politician going to Europe to see how the German's Magvel trains works or how the BRT in Colombia is being extended, it may be worth considering the advice given by Jerret on his recent entry below;strasbourg: you can't take it home with youWhen any experienced streetcar/tram advocate starts talking about the magnificence of trams as a placemaking tool, sooner or later

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-7142204804558581982010-07-19T11:03:00.000+02:002010-07-20T16:43:04.664+02:00

It has been confirmed that Gautrain white calabashes are not so Ayoba as I argued here and here. With 24000 passengers carried in the first month ( 08 June to 08 July I presume) and their website showing us the number of routes covered by these buses and their frequency I throughly calculate the average number of passengers per trip. The average number of passenger carried over a month is 870

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-30345431898557562982010-07-19T08:29:00.001+02:002010-07-19T08:41:48.918+02:00

You may have heard by now that the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) are amalgamating to establish Santaco Western Cape. Whether this merger will be in the interest of the public is not known and if it is, then we should see NTA and SANTACO which have been in logger heads since their inception to merge across the country.

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-67206302620135642542010-07-13T11:22:00.000+02:002010-07-16T11:22:43.580+02:00

Just what do you call that little button that you have to press if you want to get off in the next coming bus stop? Well can I just call it “Intent to stop button”? The name sounds longer and I don’t think people will love it but I have inserted the picture below for you to see what I am talking about.Picture 3: Intent to Stop ButtonThe other day I pressed that button while inside the Putco bus

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-29588565324414459412010-07-13T11:19:00.000+02:002010-07-16T11:21:27.690+02:00

A bus shelter designed based on a European standard may not be good for South Africa, just like some by-laws that are not good in this democratic times but were passed into law during the Apartheid times. Take the City of Johannesburg street trading bylaws which prohibit traders from selling on sidewalks or any amenities that the council sees fit and the difficulties that they face. I was made

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-51306886545235384792010-07-13T11:18:00.000+02:002010-07-16T11:19:06.725+02:00

Anyone who still want to be convinced of how Gautrain is going to further keep South Africans along racial and income levels further as I wrote last here will have to just look at the Gautrain calabashes (aka Gautrain feeder buses) drivers’ emerging mentality. It is no secrete that the calabashes are dominated by white passengers (who up to so far constitute 90% of trips according to my

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3527082280197587510.post-74276227494275863222010-03-08T22:21:00.000+02:002010-08-06T10:42:36.001+02:00

In a recent topic posted on LinkedIn’s Public Transport Professionals group, a fellow group member posted the following question: Why don’t major cities banish privately owned cars and allow only commercial and public transportation? He then went on to say………..That would solve a lot of urban problems. He is right, but in a world where a car is seen a symbol of success this will not come too

Googlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115967778336944716noreply@blogger.com0