Metrobus marks 1,609 fatality-free days and pledges safer travel for women during Transport Month

Metrobus has announced it has recorded over 1,609 fatality-free operational days and has launched a countdown campaign to reach 1,860 fatality-free days during October Transport Month. The company also declared a renewed commitment to making travel safer for women in Johannesburg.

Leadership message: women’s safety non-negotiable

“A woman’s right to move safely in this city is not negotiable,”

said Bongani Radebe, the Metrobus Managing Director.

“It is not a privilege granted by us; it is her undeniable right,”

he added.

Radebe highlighted the everyday fears women and girls face when using public transport, noting worries including harassment at bus stops, assault on buses and safety concerns when walking the last part of a journey after dark.

Framing GBVF as a transport issue

Radebe described gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a transport safety failure, saying:

“If she is not safe, then transport has failed, and Johannesburg is not moving.”

He said GBVF is not only a woman’s issue and cautioned against staying silent on the problem.

The Metrobus pledge and operational measures

Metrobus pledged to make every bus and every bus stop a Safe Zone, saying:

“No catcalling, no touching, no intimidation will be tolerated on our network.”

Radebe urged women who experience harassment or violence to report it, adding:

“We pledge to believe you and to act.”

He explained that the Metrobus control room will treat any GBVF alert from a bus as an emergency:

“We will stop the bus in a safe area, call the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) or the South African Police Service(Saps), and stay with you,”

Radebe said.

Radebe also said that during October, buses will carry the GBVF Command Centre number so passengers can request a social worker to call them.

Commitment beyond road safety

Radebe emphasised that the company’s safety goals go beyond zero road fatalities to include a stance of zero tolerance for GBV, declaring:

“To our women commuters- our mothers, sisters, daughters, gogos who trust us daily to take you to work, school, clinic and home: you have trusted us for 1 609 fatality-free operational days to keep you safe on the road,”

and:

“Now we pledge to keep you safe from violence on that road.”

He concluded:

“You have the right to travel without fear, you have the right to travel without being followed, you have the right to say no and be heard.”