1. A total of 40 buses were procured and were operating by October 2019. These took a year for these operations to be fully phased in due to the Covid-related drop in passenger demand.
These 40 buses are all currently being used to operate three (3) services between Thembisa hospital and Isando Industrial area, Bartlett Industrial area and OR Tambo International Airport.
2. The Department has held at least 3 Bilateral meetings per year on project progress with the City of Ekurhuleni. The need to complete unfinished work, ramp-up services and increase revenue has been continuously raised.
The City team has committed to do their best to implement changes. The Department has indicated it will continue to monitor progress.
3. The City of Ekurhuleni has not requested any rollover of unspent funds from the allocated budget in the current financial year.
4. The City indicates that all 40 buses have been procured. Initial leases were an interim measure to secure vehicles for services prior to the KTVR operating company being able to secure financing.
The Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) covers the cost of vehicles as a capital subsidy. This subsidy is either paid to the operating company, if it secures financing; or as a direct purchase by the City.
5. a. 40 buses have been bought to date.
b. The Vehicle Operating Company (VOC) and KTVR are the same entity, KTVR (the VOC) obtained approval for bus funding through Bidvest Bank. The City used PTNG funds to enable KTVR to settle the loan. The Grant allows for a capital subsidy for bus purchase.
c. KTVR is the Vehicle Operating Company. There is no separate legal entity