Question NW1031 to the Minister of Transport
14 November 2019 - NW1031
Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether his department has been informed that the City of Ekurhuleni is launching a smart travel card for its bus rapid transit system; if not, why not; if so, (a) did his department approve the introduction of the smart travel card and (b) what is the cost of implementing such a system?
Reply:
a) City’s implementing the BRT are required on a determined period to report to the National Department of Transport in either written format, meetings and bilaterals. Such reporting illustrates the project status quo, progress made and future plans. The City of Ekurhuleni, has, throughout these engagements, reported on the various planned mixture of components required to ramp up its BRT operations. Such included among others, the Euro Master Visa (EMV) card which was launched on 01st August 2019 as stipulated in the City’s milestones which were submitted and approved by NDoT.
b) The EMV card is packaged within the design, build, operate and maintain Automated Fare Contract (AFC) and therefore the cost is inclusive in the priced scope. A once-off charge of R35 per card is levied when a commuter purchases the card.
The AFC contract which is on a design, build, operate and maintenance contracting strategy and includes a ticketing system, was awarded for 12 years, starting from 15/12/2015 and ending 15/12/2027. It is valued at R348,157,596.38 excl. VAT; with a total of R132,257,691.60 excl. VAT being paid to date.