Braam de Jong, Putco's senior operations executive, said while government was of the view that the BRT system needed to be put in place to allow South Africa to break down outdated barriers, taxi operators would hold the country for ransom if was put in place.

"Protests, strikes, disruptions, violence, war and bloodshed... would bring the economy to its knees.

"Taxi operators have warned if BRT is implemented... It will cast a shadow over 2010 [the Fifa soccer world cup being hosted in SA next year)."

De Jong was speaking at a Transport Forum special interest group meeting at the University of Johannesburg.

He said that while the transport department had assured taxi bosses there would be no job losses and that the taxi industry would be the nucleus of BRT, the future of the bus industry was in jeopardy.

BRT in Gauteng was set to operate to Orange Farm, Sebokeng, the Johannesburg CBD, Soweto, Lenasia, the OR Tambo International Airport, the West Rand, Sandton, Sunninghill and Fourways.

BRT has been described as a high quality customer orientated transport system, which would deliver fast, comfortable, and low cost urban mobility.

It involves the construction of "bus way corridors" on segregated lanes, with modernised technology.

It was planned to also promote public transport during the 2010 world cup.

"[Putco's] general observation is that the taxi industry will stop at nothing to get what they want, and while we support BRT, it creates a win-lose situation for the bus industry."

Sapa

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