The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in Mpumalanga has pleaded with the government to improve the state of the roads in the province. Santaco raised this concern during the provincial launch of transport month in Mbombela.
Provincial Roads and Transport MEC Mohita Latchminarain launched the public transport month.
She earlier boarded a bus from Kanyamazane to Mbombela to have public transport experience.
MEC Latchminarain interacted with commuters at the Mbombela taxi rank. The MEC was accompanied by stakeholders from the public transport industries which include buses and mini-bus taxis.
Santaco Provincial Spokesperson, Muntu Gama says some of the roads in the province are a danger to motorists and their passengers. He says drivers take long distances to avoid damaged roads.
Gama raised concerns with commuters who refuse to put on their mask while boarding public transport.
“The roads condition are not conducive, but not in all municipalities. There are those in municipalities like here in Mbombela, the bridge taken by the rain still not constructed. We are supposed to do long kilometres because of that, and Moloto Road, we have a lot of challenges on that road. So, the department, if it can continue to upgrade those road…” says Muntu Gama.
The commuters are satisfied with the service provided by the public transport.
MEC Latchminarain announced that a number of road infrastructure will be constructed in the next financial year. She encouraged commuters to wear their mask while on public transport. The MEC fumigated minibus taxis at the Mbombela taxi rank. Her department has invested more than R432 million towards scholar transport in the province.
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