I want to remind residents to please commute for urgent matters only – to buy food, to get chronic medicine, access healthcare, or to collect a grant. All of us must avoid unnecessary trips in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

We have noticed an increase in queues and activities at minibus-taxi facilities across the city yesterday and this morning, and I am particularly worried about people who are standing closely together in these spaces. In the coming days, the City will visit some of the public transport facilities and use a loud hailer to inform commuters about the Coronavirus, and to remind them to avoid physical contact with one another.

All of us must keep at least one metre apart during the lockdown period, avoid contact with each other, wash our hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitiser, sneeze or cough into our elbows, avoid touching our faces, and most importantly, avoid travelling as far as possible.

Commuters must plan their trips carefully because public transport services are not allowed to operate between 10:00 and 16:00 in the afternoon.

Also, I want to remind commuters that it is illegal to exceed the capacity limits for public transport vehicles such as minibus-taxis, taxis, and buses during the lockdown period. The National Minister of Transport issued new directives on the capacity limits and operating times of public transport services on 31 March 2020, and we are all compelled to abide by these rules.

Commuters are reminded of the following:

Minibus-taxis:

• Minibus-taxis are permitted to only transport 70% of their passenger capacity: those licensed to transport 10 are now limited to seven passengers; those licensed to transport 15 are now limited to 10 passengers; a midi-bus licensed to transport 22 passengers is limited to 15 passengers
• Passengers may only board a minibus-taxi during 05:00 and 10:00 in the morning; and between 16:00 and 20:00 in the late afternoon/evening
• Minibus-taxi drivers are allowed to travel to the pick-up points as from 04:00, but may only start loading passengers at 05:00. All passengers must be offloaded by 11:00, and no passengers may board the taxi after 10:00
• Also, during the afternoon peak-hour period, drivers are allowed to travel to the pick-up points as from 15:00, but may only start loading passengers at 16:00. All passengers must be offloaded by 21:00, and no passengers may board the taxi after 20:00

MyCiTi bus service:

• No standing is allowed on buses
• Buses are allowed to transport half (50%) of its passenger capacity: 18m Volvo buses can transport 65 people, inclusive of the driver; 18m Scania buses can transport 66 people, inclusive of the driver, the 12m Volvo buses 43, inclusive of the driver; the 12m Scania buses 47, inclusive of the driver; and the 9m buses are allowed to transport 25 people, inclusive of the driver
• Commuters must please assist us by adhering to the capacity limits
• The service is operating from 05:00 to 10:00 and again from 16:00 to 20:00 daily, in line with the regulations relating to the national state of disaster
• All bus drivers have been issued with masks and gloves
• Passengers who board at a bus stop can use the hand sanitiser that is placed next to the validators at the left hand door
• Passengers boarding at stations should use the sanitiser that is available at these facilities
• We request passengers to please travel with their own hand sanitiser as well, and to wash their hands as often as possible with soap and water for 20 seconds

Buses and stations are cleaned regularly in line with COVID-19 requirements.

Only use the bus if you absolutely have to. Avoid touching common surfaces and do not travel if you are sick.

Commuters can visit the MyCiTi website on www.myciti.org.za for regular updates; use the MyCiTi app, or follow us on Twitter @MyCiTiBus; or phone the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 – the TIC is available 24/7.

Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS):

GABS is providing transport services during the lockdown in line with the times that have been gazetted.

• Drivers have all been issued with gloves, masks and hand sanitiser
• All buses are regularly sanitised with specialised surface cleaner
• Passengers are requested to please adhere to carrying capacity and personal hygiene protocols
• Please phone the TIC on 0800 65 64 63 for more information about the schedules, or go to www.gabs.co.za, where you can search for a specific route, or see all of the routes by selecting ‘Filter PDFs’ and then choose a timetable and route by selecting the letter of the alphabet

E-hailing and metred-taxis:

• Operators may only transport passengers from 05:00 to 10:00 and again from 16:00 to 20:00 daily, in line with the regulations relating to the national state of disaster
• A vehicle licensed to transport four passengers is limited to carrying 50% of their permissible passenger carrying capacity – thus, only two passengers are allowed in the vehicle

Transport services for essential workers:

• Private institutions or companies may make arrangements for the transportation of their workers who are rendering essential services in line with their operating shifts and work time schedules
• The operating shifts or work schedules or time table should be stamped and signed by the relevant manager.