A total of 75 former taxi drivers have become professional bus drivers since the launch of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT), said its safety and security spokesperson Conel Mackay, calling this a major success of the project.

Although there had been concerns about driver discipline, Mackay said all the drivers had been managing "very well".

The taxi industry is still in talks with the government after expressing concern over how it stands to benefit from the system, which it views as a threat which could shut down taxi businesses.

Jeff Ngcobo, BRT operations manager, said capacity had increased since its launch three months ago with 12 000 passengers now being transported a day.

Some problems initially encountered included a shortage of tickets due to stations not ordering them in time and the training of staff.