The South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO, in Rustenburg is ready to handle a high volume of traffic expected to increase from Friday as holiday makers make their way to various destinations.
Santaco’s Bojanala 1 Regional Chairperson June Motloung said their drivers are ready to ferry passengers to various destinations.
“We believe that our drivers are used to this kind of thing as we live in a mine dominant area so they experience high traffic volume almost every day.
“They have rested enough and they are ready for the masses. We believe that the use of Rustenburg Rapid Transport (RRT) will also reduce accidents and traffic. Remember that the RRT from Tlhabane side and Geelhoutpark has taken about 250 taxis with few buses, so traffic congestion has decreased a lot as one bus takes a lot of people.
“As from today and tomorrow, our drivers will be working almost up to midnight ferrying those who are heading back from different places. Our rank masters and rank community will be on the road making sure that they listen to drivers and commuters grievances.
“They will be available for 24 hours just to inspect and make sure that commuters arrive safely and on time, “said Motloung.
Traffic volumes are expected to peak across the country until Monday and among the routes that will see high traffic volumes will be the N3 Toll Road that connects Joburg and Durban..
Operations manager for the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) Thania Dhoogra, said on their Twitter handle that they will be monitoring the traffic volumes along the route.
“Peak traffic volumes on the N3 toll route are expected in a southbound direction towards KwaZulu-Natal from midday today, continuing into the evening, as many travelers begin making their way to their holiday destinations,” said Dhoora.
The MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari has pleaded with truck drivers to ensure they comply with the regulations and always stick to their designated routes to avoid accidents.
The Department has partnered with the Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA), and engaged with the truck industry in an awareness campaign in Bapong near Brits.
There had been 398 fatalities attributed directly to trucks in the last three months, five of which occurred in the North West Province. Several arterial routes in the Province are gateway to Botswana going up north of the Continent.
MEC Lehari said the initiative will form part of their awareness campaigns to reduce incidents and fatalities on the roads, especially those involving trucks and partnerships with stakeholders such as TASA are important”.
There has been a slight reduction of road fatalities in comparison with the same period last year. We have an 11% reduction of fatalities and we will continue to be visible on all routes and engage motorists and all other road users, said Lehari.
TASA President, Mary Phadi said it’s possible not to cause accidents. All that is needed is a collective effort of all stakeholders.
“We need to get to the stage where road fatalities are reduced drastically and punitive measures be taken against all those culpable”, said Phadi.
During the campaign, MEC and TASA President engaged Truckers at the Bapong Weighbridge outside Brits.
