All local governments in South Africa should ensure that they include transport service operators in their planning for new developments, said the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters.
"Transport operators should also regard themselves as important socio-economic partners in any development process. The system should include a hybrid of disciplines involving aspects of transport engineering and traditional urban planning, public violence management, and the development of routes and networks," said Peters in a statement.
She was reacting to the taxi violence at the Mall of Africa in Gauteng, where taxi operators were jostling for access to the mall and for routes. She said the violence could have been avoided if municipalities, developers and the transport operators had engaged during the planning and construction process.
