The Department of Transport (DOT) has reassured the taxi industry that it will play a pivotal role in transporting the public, when the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system comes into operation next year.

The taxi industry has been critical of the BRT, arguing that it would lead to job losses in the taxi industry and calling for the system to be placed on hold until there was some clarity on how it would be implemented. 

Sam Monareng, DOT spokesman, said the taxi industry would play a critical role in supporting feeder transport services, noting that the industry transports more than 60% of public transport users.

Monareng added that the new system will generate huge employment creation."There will also be job opportunities in security at stations, customer assistants, fare collection assistants, maintenance and cleaning, mechanics at depots, etcetera," he said.