BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
MEC for Community Safety and  Transport Management, Dr Mpho Motlhabane will officially open the long awaited Taung Vehicle Testing Station (VTS) on Friday.

Motlhabane said this will bring ‘sigh of relief’ to the communities of Taung and neighbouring villages and farms. 

“The station has been closed for years, resulting in vehicle owners to travel long distances to get services that the station could not provide.

“We will officially open the station for services to the communities, after renovations to meet the required standards,” he said.

Motlhabane will be accompanied by   Greater Taung Local Municipality Mayor, Charles Motlhabane. 

“We will also do the sod-turning for the construction of the Kgomotso Registering Authority. This is part of bringing services closer to the communities, as most of the motorists from these areas have been travelling more than 70 km to access services. 

“Most motorists received services from the neighbouring Northern Cape Province,” he said.

Following the moratorium on the operating licenses, Motlhabane will further handover about 200 amended operating permits to taxi operators.

He said the permits have been re-developed with new conditions and specifications to designated route of operations. 

“The amendment will assist with the ongoing taxi feuds. All the three key activities will culminate at the main event where we will deliver the keynote address at Mmabana Taung.

“These activities are part of the October Transport Month activities, which is set to raise awareness of the important role of transport in the economy, and to invite participation from civic society and business in providing a safer, more affordable, accessible and reliable transport system for the community.

“The October Transport Month Campaign is an annual feature on the calendar of the Department of Transport and is one of the platforms and vehicles through which the department engages directly with stakeholders. The month was officially launched in October 2005,” Motlhabane said.

The three key activities scheduled to take place as follows:

Date           :        27 October 2017

Time           :        07H30 – Sod turning at Kgomotso Registering

Authority in Kgomotso village

                    :        10H00 – Official opening of the Taung Vehicle

Testing Station (VTS)

                    :        11H00 – The official handing over of the amended

                             taxi operating licences

Venue        :        Main event will be held at the Mmabana Taung.

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