The start of the mediation process between the Gauteng e-Hailing Partners Council (GEPCO) and the e-hailing technology companies, Uber and Bolt, has been welcomed by Jacob Mamabolo, the MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure in Gauteng.
“We applaud all parties for agreeing to participate in this process. We look forward to a fruitful mediation process where all parties will cooperate to ensure successful resolution to all issues,” the MEC said on Monday.
The mediation process, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, comes after a series of interactions between the department and the parties in question in an effort to find lasting and cooperative solutions to their challenges.
These include downgrading of vehicles, pricing, security, and fare structuring, among other things.
According to Mamabolo, the department acknowledges the significant role the e-hailing industry plays in the transportation sector and has urged all parties involved to give the mediation process a chance.
“The department values GEPCO as an important stakeholder in the e-hailing industry and encourages all public transport stakeholders and partners to work with them.
“We need to continue instilling a culture of negotiations in the public transport sector and spare the public incidences of violence and disruptions.
“These discussions are crucial to our #SmartMobility vision of integrating all modes of public transport to provide an efficient, safe, reliable and sustainable transport system in the province,” the MEC said.
He claimed that peace and stability are necessary for the department’s goal of creating an integrated, seamless transportation system.
“Successful integration of all public transport systems requires us to work together to find innovative ways to resolve issues and minimise violence in the sector. It is through negotiations that we can achieve that, and we are hopeful the mediation process will be successful,” Mamabolo said.