This centre will manage traffic flow, public transport, safety and security in the metro.
The R16-million state-of-the-art TMC will start monitoring all the existing Ekurhuleni bus services, which will form part of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), by the end of March 2016.
“As the public transport network grows, we will add the additional buses to the monitoring process. The intention is to equip all the new buses with Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) devices, to enable the staff at the TMC to monitor their movements,” said the mayor, Mondli Gungubele.
While the TMC will create an additional 16 employment opportunities, the high-tech centre will host two major Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), namely the Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system and the Advance Public Transport Management System (APTMS).
Ekurhuleni IRPTN Intelligent Transportation Systems divisional head Tommie Snyman explained that the AFC system will be managed by individuals with financial backgrounds, who will assist with the reconciliation of all the revenue collection of the Harambee Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
This system also comprises the payment of fees to the Vehicle Operating Company, for services rendered.
“The APTMS is essentially the key to public transport operations, as it includes the correct scheduling for all the buses and the monitoring of the buses, while ensuring all the CCTV camera footage is supervised from the TMC,” said Snyman.
“Therefore, we will be looking at schedulers, bus controllers and security personnel in this regard.”
Provision has been made to accommodate Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officials (EMPD) in the TMC, to allow them to assist with law enforcement.
Maintained by Opitec (Pty) LTD in South Africa, the new, wall-mounted technology is the first of its kind to be installed on the African continent.
The TMC will ultimately form part of the municipality’s long-term strategy to establish a Unified Command Centre.
