The City of Ekurhuleni has arranged an extensive programme to celebrate Transport Month in October, including free roadworthy tests.
|||Ekurhuleni – The City of Ekurhuleni has arranged an extensive programme to celebrate Transport Month in October, including free roadworthy tests for minibus taxis, buses, and trucks, the city said on Sunday.
“[An] Effective and efficient transport system is a catalyst for sustainable economic growth. As such, the City of Ekurhuleni is geared up to promote safe, reliable, and cost effective transport means,” spokesman Themba Gadebe said.
“To kick-start the month-long transport month celebrations, the city will provide free roadworthy testing of minibus taxis, buses, and trucks in three of its testing stations in Brakpan, Boksburg, and Kempton Park throughout the month of October,” he said.
As of October 14, city officials led by mayoral committee member for transport, roads, and planning Petrus Mabunda would visit various taxi ranks to celebrate Taxi Day and to inform commuters, taxi drivers, and owners of progress made on the city’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system Harambee, and to raise awareness of the integrated rapid public transport network.
On October 17, Mabunda would launch the Etwatwa licensing operationalisation programme, aimed at decentralising licensing services to previously disadvantaged communities.
The Etwatwa licensing facility would offer services such as the renewal of motor vehicle licenses, renewal of driver’s licenses, applications for learner licenses, and learner license classes.
October 20 was Car Free Day, and the city would join forces with the Gauteng roads and transport department and education department to donate over 1000 bicycles to help needy schoolchildren from across the city as part of the “Shova-Kalula” project.
Then on October 28, the city would convene a transport indaba – a platform for all Ekurhuleni transport industry stakeholders to meet and discuss issues of mutual interest.
The indaba would include youth and would focus on issues affecting the local transport industry and propose possible solutions.
To conclude the month’s programme, the city would host a prestigious awards ceremony to honour staff members for their long service and dedication on October 31, Gadebe said.
African News Agency (ANA)