The City of Johannesburg council has approved a motion which will allow pensioners and people with disabilities to travel for free on buses during off-peak times.
A welcome motion has been approved thanks to Cope’s councillor Devanand Maharaj. Maharaj believes that enhancing the mobility options for pensioners and persons with disabilities will greatly improve their access to basic services and economic opportunities, as well as their well-being.
He proposed that pensioners and people with various disabilities have access to free transportation during off-peak hours. This will be rolled out to the bus services in Johannesburg.
The Speaker in the Johannesburg council, Vasco da Gama, said the motion had received overwhelming support. In an interview with 702, Nonhlanhla Makhuba, the Transport MMC for the City confirmed that they will pilot this project in 2018/2019.
“As the City, we understand the hardship that the pensioners, and often people with disabilities, face.” – Nonhlanhla Makhuba, Transport MMC for the City
The project will be piloted in the 2018/2019 financial year. Once they have done a full feasibility check and if it works accordingly they will go on a full rollout in 2020.
This is a positive place to start and we are over the moon that it is being considered. It will make a big difference to many people’s lives.
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