New Putco buses ‘to improve commuter safety’
Bus company Putco has unveiled 50
new buses to transport commuters between Gauteng
and Mpumalanga, including on the notorious Moloto road.
The launch of the new buses took place at the Roodeplaat Dam in Tshwane on Friday morning.
Putco managing director Franco Pisapia-Larimar says the new vehicles will further improve the safety of commuters.
The number of fatalities involving Putco buses decreased from 34 in 2013/14 to four by the end of December 2019.
Pisapia-Larimar says in 2016/17 the company’s buses were involved in 61 accidents. By the end of December 2019, the number dropped to 18.
“Putco has fleet of 1300, transport more than 290 000 passengers daily, however our buses travel long distances from departure to destination points, sometimes on rough terrain.
“The cost of tyre replacement, body repairs and maintenance are extremely high.”
Pisapia-Larimar says 30 drivers have also received training to improve their driving skills.
“To date a total of 30 Putco drivers have been trained at Gerotek facilities, 10 from greater Soweto and 20 from Tshwane and Mpumalanga.
“Enhancing the driving performance of our drivers is an ongoing programme.
“It will go a long way improving defensive driving skills avoiding dangerous manoeuvring and reducing the accident rate on our roads,” says Pisapia-Larimar.
Gauteng Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo says the 50 new buses will improve the lives of those using travelling to work and back on a daily basis.
“We are confident that these new fleets of buses will definitely contribute not only to road safety by also to the comfort of our commuters and will provide quality service,” says Mamabolo.