The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) has approached the City of Johannesburg urging them to employ solutions to ease traffic in the inner city. This follows the gas explosion in the Jozi CBD a week ago that claimed one life, left some injured and damaged 48 vehicles. 

Santaco spokesperson, Thabo Moila, said that traffic congestion is putting strain on their taxi operations around the Bree Taxi Rank. He said commuters were also frustrated because they can't get off their usual stops due to taxis re-routing. "We'll propose that the City of Joburg consider converting two-way lanes to single-lane use during peak hours to make traffic movement easier. Now, it's difficult for commuters to get into taxis or private cars because of the convoy." JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla, confirmed that Santaco had approached them with a two-lane request to alter traffic. However, Fihla says, JMPD was not in a position to make this decision as it lies with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and the City's transport department. "If they come to an agreement to alter the routes in the inner city, JMPD will come in at the end to assist with traffic management. It is unclear at the moment if they contacted the JRA and the Department of Transport," Fihla said.

Rea Vaya spokesperson Benny Makgoga said the road closures had affected three stations along Lilian Ngoyi Street. "It's temporary. Buses have been diverted to avoid the street. The commute takes longer because the Rea Vaya route has a dedicated bus lane. Now buses have to travel in mixed traffic, which takes longer." Makgoga said Rea Vaya buses use Harrison Street coming from Braamfontein to get to the CBD and Rissik Street from the CBD to Braamfontein but now they have to travel via the Nelson Mandela Bridge.