City of Cape Town seeks interim service provider for N2 Express routes

The City of Cape Town has confirmed that the N2 Express Company shareholders failed to meet a deadline set for the service to be reinstated; and the City has to appoint an interim service provider to operate the service routes of Khayelitsha, Mitchell’s Plain and Cape Town.

The City is calling on vehicle operating companies to apply for this interim service procurement

On 28 September, the City is calling all vehicle operating companies to submit bids to operate the N2 Express service route on an interim basis.

The interim service provider will operate four N2 Express routes until the City has appointed a permanent vehicle operating company to provide the N2 Express service for the next five years.

This comes about as the N2 Express Company shareholders namely Codeta, Route 6 Taxi Association and Golden Arrow Bus Services, failed to reach an internal agreement that would have ushered a way forward.

“The GABS and Route 6 Taxi Association have confirmed in a letter to the City that they are willing to resume the service. However, CODETA is insisting on a new arrangement at all costs. The City cannot wait any longer for the shareholders to set aside their internal disagreements. Neither do we have the mandate to intervene in matters that are for the shareholders to resolve.”

The City of Cape Town

The N2 Express has left more than 3 000 commuters stranded

The N2 Express service route was created to aid the unreliable Metrorail service, however, the service itself has turned out to be unreliable because; more than 3 000 commuters that relied on the N2 Express service route have been left stranded during this debacle.

With the buses and trains being unreliable, commuters have had to rely on taxis for travelling since 31 May 2019; which is more expensive than the prescribed services. A budget comparison was made which confirms that MyCiti bus services are indeed more affordable than the taxi services commuters currently rely on.

“Every rand saved makes a huge difference to low-income households who spend up to 43% of their monthly income on transport. It is of utmost importance that we get the N2 Express buses back on the road as soon as possible.”

The City of Cape Town

The City plegdes to find a permanent service provider by December

The interim service provider search commences on 28 September, and the service will be appointed by the end of November 2019. The City also plans to find a permanent service provider for the N2 Express service and have it operating by December.

“In the meantime, the City will also commence with a procurement process to secure the services of a vehicle operating company to operate the N2 Express service for five years.”

The City of Cape Town