View source for PUTCO

{{short description|Provider of commuter bus services in some provinces in South Africa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
| name            = Putco (Pty) Ltd
| logo            = Putco.png
| logo_size       = 250
| image           =
| image_size      =
| image_caption   =
| company_slogan  = The Journey Continues
| parent          = 
| founded         = 1945 by Jack Bird Barregar
| headquarters    = [[Sandton]]
| locale          =
| service_area    = [[Gauteng]], [[Limpopo]] and [[Mpumalanga|Western Mpumalanga (KwaNdebele areas)]] in South Africa
| service_type    = [[Public Transit]], Private hire and Commercial contracts
| alliance        =
| routes          =
| destinations    = 
{{Plainlist|
* [[Alberton, Gauteng|Alberton]] 
* [[Boksburg, Gauteng|Boksburg]] 
* [[Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng|Bronkhorstspruit]]
* [[Eldorado Park, Gauteng|Eldorado Park]]
* [[Germiston, Gauteng|Germiston]]
* [[Johannesburg]]
* [[Kaalfontein]]
* [[Meyerton, Gauteng|Meyerton]]
* [[Midrand, Gauteng|Midrand]]
* [[Pretoria]]
* [[Sebokeng, Gauteng|Sebokeng]]
* [[Soshanguve, Gauteng|Soshanguve]]
* [[Soweto]]
* [[Vosloorus]]
* [[Mpumalanga|Western Mpumalanga(KwaNdebele)]]
}} 
| stops           =
| hubs            = [[Selby, Gauteng|Selby]], Putcoton, Vosloorus, [[Dobsonville, Gauteng|Dobsonville]], [[Sandfontein]], Soshanguve, [[Rosslyn, Gauteng|Rosslyn]], Ekandustria, Vlaklaagte
| stations        =
| lounge          =
| fleet           = 1,400<ref name= "About Us">{{cite web|url=http://www.putco.co.za/index.php/2016-02-08-12-02-31/about-us |title=About Us |publisher=The Public Utility Transport Corporation |accessdate=3 August 2016}}</ref>
| ridership       = 230,000<ref name= "About Us"/>
| fuel_type       = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]]
| operator        =
| leader          = Franco Pisapia|Managing director)<ref name= "About Us"/>
| website         = [http://www.putco.co.za http://www.putco.co.za]
|leader_type=Managing Director}}

[[Image:PUTCO Bus 1.jpg|right|thumb|One of the new PUTCO buses.|255px]]

The '''Public Utility Transport Corporation''' ('''PUTCO''') is a provider of [[transit bus|commuter bus]] services in the provinces of [[Gauteng]], [[Limpopo]], and the western parts of [[Mpumalanga]] in South Africa.<ref name= "About Us"/> PUTCO was established in 1945 after the bus strike of 1944.

PUTCO is the only public passenger company previously listed on the [[JSE Limited]] and has grown into the biggest commuter bus operator in the country.<ref name="iDRIVE.co.za Blog&nbsp;— Learnership Opportunity with PUTCO">{{cite web|url=http://www.idrive.co.za/blog/2007/09/04/learnership-opportunity-with-putco/|title=iDRIVE.co.za Blog&nbsp;– Learnership Opportunity with PUTCO|accessdate=24 December 2008}}</ref> It operates 1,600 buses, employs just over 3,300 people and transports more than 230,000 commuters daily. PUTCO vehicles travel more than 90&nbsp;million kilometres per year.

PUTCO began manufacturing special access buses in 2002. They are designed and operated in consultation with organisations that work with people with disabilities.<ref name="Catering for all : city transport">{{cite web|url=http://www.sabinet.co.za/abstracts/imiesa/imiesa_v30_n11_a15.xml|title=Catering for all : city transport|accessdate=26 December 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> It has a bad record regarding road safety. Numerous times it has been compelled to check all its vehicles for [[roadworthiness]]. PUTCO was involved in various fatal accidents on the Moloto road near [[Kameeldrift]].<ref name="News&nbsp;– South Africa: Putco ordered to check buses worthiness">{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=qw95676284764B236|title=News&nbsp;– South Africa: Putco ordered to check buses worthiness|accessdate=24 December 2008}}</ref>

It has entered into a [[Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment]] (BBBEE) deal, which afforded Black Africans meaningful participation in the transport industry. PUTCO is now 42.6% Black African owned, 11% of whom are women.

==History==
During the [[apartheid]] era, PUTCO was the main "blacks only" bus transport company and was often seen as a symbol of oppression. As a result, the company was frequently targeted in attacks and boycott actions. The biggest challenges then were the high cost of diesel fuel, maintenance and spares. PUTCO has been part of South African history. The company traded on the JSE Limited for over six decades, survived the [[1957 Alexandra bus boycott|penny fare increase]] of 1954, the 1976 riots and the upheavals of the 1980s.

Carleo Enterprises bought back the company from the [[Leyland Motors]] Corporation in 1971. They had initially sold their entire shareholding in 1962. Albino Carleo went on to lead PUTCO as managing director, later serving as chairman and CEO for more than three decades. He retired in September 2004. Franco Pisapia, a nephew of Albino Carleo, took over as managing director.<ref name="ALL IN THE FAMILY">{{cite web|url=http://free.financialmail.co.za/report05/putco05/aputco.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522064151/http://free.financialmail.co.za/report05/putco05/aputco.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-22 |title=Financial Mail&nbsp;– ALL IN THE FAMILY |accessdate=23 December 2008 }}</ref>

The company has its own bus body building facility in [[Brits, North West|Brits]], outside [[Pretoria]], called the "Dubigeon Body & Coach". It can also overhaul engines and gearboxes.<ref name="Putco&nbsp;— About Us">{{cite web|url=http://www.putco.co.za/068.asp |title=Putco&nbsp;– About Us |accessdate=24 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210200859/http://www.putco.co.za/068.asp |archivedate=10 February 2012 }}</ref> PUTCO assisted the department of Public Transport Roads and Works with the establishment of a contracting model with Gauteng Women in Transport (GWIT). PUTCO has subcontracted five buses to GWIT, giving it a total of 10 vehicles. This arrangement ensures that the women lease buses and routes from the company.<ref name="Financial Mail&nbsp;— SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES">{{cite web|url=http://free.financialmail.co.za/report05/putco05/dputco.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522064331/http://free.financialmail.co.za/report05/putco05/dputco.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-22 |title=Financial Mail&nbsp;– SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES |accessdate=24 December 2008 }}</ref>

===1945 – 1950===
PUTCO was founded by Jack Bird Barregar in 1945 and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with an issued share capital of R810,000.<ref name="Enterprise details for 1945/018672/06">{{cite web|url=http://www.cipro.co.za/ccc/EntDet.asp?T1=%DD%47%2C%81%55%C0%1D%B7%10%B8%3E%80%BA%A8%23&T2=PUTCO|title=Enterprise details for 1945/018672/06|accessdate=23 December 2008}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> At the end of the decade PUTCO was placed under Judicial Management.

===1950 – 1960===
Three years later the capital was restructured and the company was taken out of Judicial Management. PUTCO pioneers began giving aptitude tests to potential drivers. A year later it also introduced [[Bus advertising|advertising]] on the sides of its buses. On 7 January 1957 workers from [[Johannesburg]] and [[Pretoria]] [[townships]] began a boycott of PUTCO, due to the company increasing fares by 25% (one penny at that time) in order to get them out of a continuous financial crisis. This spontaneous act marked the start of a three-month period during which an estimated 70,000 workers joined in the action, which became known as the [[1957 Alexandra bus boycott]]. PUTCO was forced to rescind the increase in the bus fare.<ref name="The Alexandra Bus Boycott">{{cite web|url=http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs/pubs/umrabulo/umrabulo30/art13.html |title=Azikhwelwa! – The Alexandra Bus Boycott |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524233251/http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?doc=ancdocs%2Fpubs%2Fumrabulo%2Fumrabulo30%2Fart13.html |archivedate=24 May 2011 }}</ref><ref name="WE HAVE NO MONEY">{{cite web|url=http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/congress/sactu/organsta05.html |title=5. 'ASINAMALI' (WE HAVE NO MONEY) |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106140925/http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/congress/sactu/organsta05.html |archivedate=6 November 2009 }}</ref>

At the end of the decade PUTCO also expanded its service to [[Durban]]. Prior to this only municipal bus services were available.<ref name="Durban in Motion">{{cite web|url=http://www.disa.ukzn.ac.za/DIM/slideshow/text.html|title=Durban in Motion|accessdate=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524123548/http://www.disa.ukzn.ac.za/DIM/slideshow/text.html|archive-date=24 May 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===1960 – 1970===
Just after the takeover by Leyland Motors, PUTCO began the acquisition of other bus services. These included the [[Edenvale, Gauteng|Edenvale]] Bus Service from Carleo Enterprises. Six years later Carleo Enterprises sold all their remaining services to PUTCO. These included Rand Bus Lines and Evaton Passenger Services.

===1970 – 1980===
In 1971 Carleo Enterprises bought a 51.6% shareholding of "Public Utility Transport Corporation" from Leyland Motors.<ref name="ALL IN THE FAMILY" /><ref name="Putco on track for delisting ">{{cite web|url=http://www.southafrica.info/doing_business/businesstoday/businessnews/405246.htm |title=Putco on track for delisting |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607035346/http://www.southafrica.info/doing_business/businesstoday/businessnews/405246.htm |archivedate=7 June 2011 }}</ref> Carleo Enterprises then formally changed the name from Public Utility Transport Corporation to PUTCO Limited. In June 1972, a strike by about 300 PUTCO drivers won a 33.3% wage increase. It also formed the Transport and Allied Workers Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/congress/sactu/wff2.htm|title=Non-Racial Trade Unionism in Historical Perspective|year=1981|work=Working For Freedom. Black trade union development in South Africa throughout the 1970s|publisher=South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU)|accessdate=24 August 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080606012553/http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/congress/sactu/wff2.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 6 June 2008}}</ref>

A year later Albino Carleo took over as managing director of PUTCO.<ref name="MMOm">{{cite web|url=http://fxi.org.za/PDFs/Publications/ElectronicBroadcasting/Box%208/R%203.pdf|title=MMOm|accessdate=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816223606/http://fxi.org.za/PDFs/Publications/ElectronicBroadcasting/Box%208/R%203.pdf|archive-date=2011-08-16|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref name="FleetWatch Online - 76-heritage putco">{{cite web|url=http://www.fleetwatch.co.za/magazines/sept03/76-heritage%20putco.htm|title=FleetWatch Online – 76-heritage putco|accessdate=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724063219/http://www.fleetwatch.co.za/magazines/sept03/76-heritage%20putco.htm|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FleetWatch Online - 58-heritage jack">{{cite web|url=http://www.fleetwatch.co.za/magazines/sept03/58-heritage%20jack.htm|title=FleetWatch Online – 58-heritage jack|accessdate=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724063234/http://www.fleetwatch.co.za/magazines/sept03/58-heritage%20jack.htm|archive-date=2011-07-24|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Deathtrap taxis head for the scrapyard">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5327/is_311/ai_n29195804/pg_2|title=Deathtrap taxis head for the scrapyard|accessdate=23 December 2008 | work=African Business | first=Tom | last=Nevin | year=2005}}</ref> At the end of the decade PUTCO acquired another company, African Bus Service from United Transport in an acrimonious corporate battle.

On 5 September 1984 a PUTCO bus was torched with the aid of a petrol bomb after PUTCO employees did not participate in a national anti-apartheid strike. Two of the attackers were granted [[amnesty]] by the [[Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa)|Truth and Reconciliation Commission]] in 2001 for their actions on that day, the third person involved was already deceased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/decisions/2001/ac21074.htm|title=Application in terms of section 18 of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act|date=26 February 2001|publisher=Truth and Reconciliation Commission|accessdate=24 August 2008}}</ref>

===1980 – 1990===
Albino and the board of directors started the "PUTCO Foundation" in 1982 to assist in social uplifting of the communities which the company serves.<ref name="HELPING SA TO PRODUCE DOCTORS">{{cite web|url=http://free.financialmail.co.za/report05/putco05/gputco.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522064308/http://free.financialmail.co.za/report05/putco05/gputco.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-22 |title=Financial Mail&nbsp;– HELPING SA TO PRODUCE DOCTORS |accessdate=23 December 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Putco&nbsp;— The Dawn of A New Era">{{cite web|url=http://www.putco.co.za/070.asp |title=Putco&nbsp;– The Dawn of A New Era |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830095707/http://www.putco.co.za/070.asp |archivedate=30 August 2007}}</ref> PUTCO's fleet peaked at 3,440 vehicles in mid-decade. The buses travel 156 million kilometres a year and carry 353&nbsp;million passengers.<ref name="Putco&nbsp;— The Dawn of A New Era2">{{cite web|url=http://www.putco.co.za/003.asp|title=Putco&nbsp;– The Dawn of A New Era|accessdate=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217023750/http://www.putco.co.za/003.asp|archive-date=2007-12-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Mrs. Marina Maponya became the first black person to be appointed as a [[Non-executive director|director]] of the company in 1986.<ref name="Mrs Marina Nompinti MAPONYA">{{cite web|url=http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=6284 |title=Mrs Marina Nompinti MAPONYA (Profile) Who's Who of Southern Africa |accessdate=23 December 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===1990 – 2000===
[[Image:PUTCO Bus 2.jpg|right|thumb|A part of the PUTCO fleet.]]
The effect of the [[Taxi wars in South Africa|taxi industry]] had a disastrous impact on PUTCO; the bus fleet was reduced to 2,500, carrying 120 million passengers a year.<ref name="Putco&nbsp;— The Dawn of A New Era" /> Just three years later passenger numbers had dropped to 82&nbsp;million and the bus fleet was reduced to 2,280. Surprisingly their profits increased to R17,6&nbsp;million.<ref name="Putco&nbsp;— The Dawn of A New Era" /> Despite PUTCO losing customers, it also withdrew from Durban after suffering considerable losses in that region.

PUTCO started its first joint venture operation with a black partner in 1998, Valuader (Pty) Limited, in the [[Vaal Triangle]]. This was the first of a number of such joint ventures and the "Lekoa Transport Trust" was established.<ref name="PUTCO Online Printable">{{cite web|url=http://www.putco.co.za/003p.asp |title=PUTCO Online Printable |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118170649/http://www.putco.co.za/003p.asp |archivedate=18 November 2007 }}</ref> A year later the "Ipelegeng Transport Trust" was also established. In October 1990 seven people died and 27 were injured when a PUTCO bus was attacked at [[KwaMashu]], north of Durban. This was carried out by members of right wing movements in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justice.gov.za/trc/media/1996/9608/s960813m.htm|title=Bus attack victims' families oppose amnesty applications|date=13 August 1996|publisher= South African Press Association|accessdate=24 August 2008}}</ref>

===2000 – 2010===
[[File:Franco Pisapia, 2008.jpg|right|thumb|PUTCO managing director, Franco Pisapia.]]
In 2002 Nathi Khena became the first black managing director of the company and the "Asibemunye Transport Trust was established.<ref name="TWO SHOT DEAD AT PUTCO'S PRETORIA DEPOT">{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-25305979_ITM|title=TWO SHOT DEAD AT PUTCO'S PRETORIA DEPOT|accessdate=23 December 2008 | work=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire | date=25 February 2002}}</ref><ref name="Transport gets safety boost">{{cite web|url=http://www.cartoday.com/content/news/singlepage.asp?in=1737 |title=Transport gets safety boost |work=CARtoday.com |accessdate=23 December 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Nathi Khena, Putco">{{cite web|url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/nathi-khena-putco-2001-08-31|title=Nathi Khena, Putco|accessdate=23 December 2008}}</ref> In 2004 Albino Carleo and a number of the board retired after serving many years. A new board was structured with Franco Pisapia, a nephew of Albino Carleo, becoming the managing director.<ref name="Putco&nbsp;— The Dawn of A New Era" />

Just a year later PUTCO de-listed from the JSE Limited after sixty years to enable it to take on empowerment partners.<ref name="Top Companies 2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.topcompanies.co.za/topcos2005/stories/tc30.htm|title=Top Companies 2005|accessdate=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814072428/http://www.topcompanies.co.za/topcos2005/stories/tc30.htm|archive-date=2007-08-14|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="SA SECTOR">{{cite web|url=http://www.africanstatistics.co.za/Corporate%20Actions/Delistings.shtml |title=SA SECTOR |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925144121/http://www.africanstatistics.co.za/Corporate%20Actions/Delistings.shtml |archivedate=25 September 2009 }}</ref> PUTCO achieved an important milestone in the history of the transport industry by completing a BBBEE scheme, empowering its more than 3,300 employees in 2006.<ref name="Empowerment Share Scheme by PUTCO (07/09/2006)">{{cite web|url=http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=93505|title=Empowerment Share Scheme by PUTCO (07/09/2006)|accessdate=23 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="Keynote Address by Minister Jeff Radebe at the Launch of BBBEE Share Scheme by Putco Limited">{{cite web|url=http://www.transport.gov.za/frames/sp0908-f.html |title=Keynote Address by Minister Jeff Radebe at the Launch of BBBEE Share Scheme by Putco Limited |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113233702/http://www.transport.gov.za/frames/sp0908-f.html |archivedate=13 November 2006 }}</ref><ref name="BuaNews Online homepage&nbsp;— Minister calls for broader participation in BEE">{{cite web|url=http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=06090716451002&coll=buanew06|title=BuaNews Online homepage&nbsp;– Minister calls for broader participation in BEE|accessdate=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927081735/http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=06090716451002&coll=buanew06|archive-date=27 September 2006|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="Minister calls for BEE participation to go beyond ownership">{{cite web|url=http://www.skillsportal.co.za/black_economic_empowerment/news/168060.htm |title=Minister calls for BEE participation to go beyond ownership |accessdate=23 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014221354/http://www.skillsportal.co.za/black_economic_empowerment/news/168060.htm |archivedate=14 October 2008 }}</ref>

==Bus services==

===Operating Areas===
PUTCO currently operates commuter services in the following areas:

* Soweto to the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, including [[Midrand]].
* [[Alberton, Gauteng|Alberton]] to the [[Central Business District (Johannesburg)|Johannesburg Central Business District]] (CBD) and northern suburbs.
* Johannesburg CBD to the northern suburbs.
* [[Soshanguve, Gauteng|Soshanguve]] to all suburbs in Pretoria.
* [[Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng|Bronkhorstspruit]] to Pretoria.
* Bronkhorstspruit to Kaalfontein in [[Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality|Ekhuruleni]].
* [[Mamelodi, Gauteng|Mamelodi]] to the northern, eastern and southern suburbs of Pretoria.
* [[Mpumalanga|Western Mpumalanga]] to Pretoria CBD and the suburbs.
* [[Sebokeng, Gauteng|Sebokeng]] to [[Meyerton, Gauteng|Meyerton]].
* Eldorado Park to Johannesburg and the northern suburbs.
* Voslorus to [[Boksburg, Gauteng|Boksburg]], [[Germiston, Gauteng|Germiston]] and Johannesburg.

===Tickets===
[[Image:PUTCO Ticket.jpg|right|thumb|A sample of PUTCO tickets|350px]]
Types of tickets used by PUTCO include:
* Daily
* Weekly
* Monthly

The fare structure is presented to assist loyal passengers in both cost saving and convenience. This way the fare per trip via a monthly ticket is much cheaper than that of a daily ticket. Fixed and mobile ticket selling points operate in various areas.

PUTCO is in the process of upgrading their ticketing equipment to the 'Automatic Smart Card Fare Collection and Tracking System' to reduce long lines and floating cash. The contact-less '[[Smart Card]]' also allows passengers to quickly enter the bus by simply placing the card on the reader, thus reducing driver-passenger contact.<ref name="PUTCO INSTALLS ELECTRONIC TICKETING SYSTEM INTO BUSES">{{cite web|url=http://www.questektransit.co.za/images/press/Putco_inst.pdf |title=PUTCO INSTALLS ELECTRONIC TICKETING SYSTEM INTO BUSES |accessdate=26 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521064828/http://www.questektransit.co.za/images/press/Putco_inst.pdf |archivedate=21 May 2009 }}</ref>

This system provides an on-bus smart card and cash-based revenue management system which will help to record data such as passenger behaviour, popular routes and type of tickets purchased. The system will also assist with the dispatching of drivers and post-shift cash-ups. Passengers can now buy smart cards at Soweto operations and mobile vendors at R30 each.<ref name="ITWeb : Smart choice for public transport">{{cite web|url=http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/computing/2007/0710091413.asp?S=RFID%20and%20Barcodes&A=RFI&O=google|title=ITWeb : Smart choice for public transport|date=9 October 2007 |accessdate=26 December 2008}}</ref> The Smart Card can be re-charged with a weekly, monthly or season ticket. Another benefit of the smart card is that a passenger can use it (once it is re-charged), multiple times. The card fits into a pocket or purse, is very secure and cannot be read or copied.<ref name="iWeek : Putco turns to IT">{{cite web|url=http://www.iweek.co.za/ViewStory.asp?StoryID=178523|title=iWeek : Putco turns to IT|accessdate=26 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="New smart card improves commuting operating efficiencies ">{{cite web|url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-smart-card-improves-commuting-operating-efficiencies-2007-11-23|title=New smart card improves commuting operating efficiencies |accessdate=26 December 2008}}</ref>

Installation of the system costs around R30,000 per bus.<ref name="ITWeb : Smart choice for public transport" /> The system, said to be worth more than R8&nbsp;million, includes a means of enabling PUTCO to maintain constant surveillance of its buses in order to monitor driving patterns and driver behaviour.<ref name="Exciting new option for public transport">{{cite web|url=http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=582262 |title=Exciting new option for public transport |accessdate=26 December 2008 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

{{Quotation|The entire solution gives us more control over revenue management and more efficient fare collection. The GPS technology will provide [a] valuable insight into driving patterns and driver behaviour. Our ultimate goal is to implement the system in our entire fleet of 1,750 buses, which we hope will happen in the not too distant future.|managing director Franco Pisapia|Project launch}}

===Access Buses===

[[Image:PUTCO AB1.jpg|right|thumb|The special ramp on the PUTCO Access Buses.]]
[[Image:PUTCO AB2.jpg|right|thumb|A PUTCO Access Bus.]]
In 2002 PUTCO initiated the building of special access buses for disabled passengers. These vehicles were designed after consultation with organisations for the disabled in PUTCO's bus body building operation in [[Brits, North West|Brits]]. They utilise a special loading platform.<ref name="Catering for all : city transport" />

During a trip the [[wheelchairs]] are secured by load binders to the floor structure. Seat belts and an additional wheelchair storage area are provided. There are also coded hand-rails and bell-pushes for the partially sighted.

At present six access buses are being operated, three in the Pretoria area and the others in the Johannesburg area. These buses also have specially trained crews, two per bus, to assist passengers.<ref name="ACCESS BUS&nbsp;— PUTCO CARING FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ">{{cite web|url=http://www.putco.co.za/062.asp |title=ACCESS BUS&nbsp;– PUTCO CARING FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES |accessdate=26 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401205445/http://www.putco.co.za/062.asp |archivedate=1 April 2009 }}</ref>

==Accidents==

===2000===

In 2000 the Gauteng Transport Department ordered PUTCO to check all its vehicles for roadworthiness. This followed a crash which left thirteen people dead near Pretoria. The accident, which also left twenty-seven people injured, occurred when a PUTCO bus collided with a minibus taxi on the Moloto road near Kameeldrift. Investigations revealed that the bus driver lost control of the vehicle after its steering mechanism failed. The bus veered into oncoming traffic, hitting the taxi.<ref name="News&nbsp;– South Africa: Putco ordered to check buses worthiness" />

At the end of the year the notorious Moloto road claimed another sixteen lives when a PUTCO bus driver overtook a minibus taxi and collided with another PUTCO bus in rainy conditions. The bloodbath once again prompted a ritual outpouring of anger and grief. It also triggered oft-repeated calls on the government to make good its promises to upgrade the road.<ref name="'Death drive' to Pretoria claims another 16">{{cite web|url=http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=675&fArticleId=ct20001211215507675C624436|title='Death drive' to Pretoria claims another 16|accessdate=24 December 2008}}</ref>

===2006===
In April 2006 a hundred and thirteen people were injured in a four-bus pile-up north of Pretoria. The accident happened at the PUTCO depot where three buses had stopped when a fourth hit a bus from behind, causing each one to ram the vehicle in front of it. The provincial minister said to the press that both accidents could have been avoided if the drivers followed the rules of the road and the buses were in a roadworthy condition. The Mpumalanga Roads and Transport Department met staff from PUTCO to discuss the condition of some of the company's buses.<ref name="113 injured in bus accident near Pretoria">{{cite web|url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2006-04-10-113-injured-in-bus-accident-near-pretoria|title=113 injured in bus accident near Pretoria|date=10 April 2006 |accessdate=24 December 2008}}</ref><ref name="News&nbsp;– South Africa: Buses, drivers blamed for PTA road accidents">{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20060411032529506C664612|title=News&nbsp;– South Africa: Buses, drivers blamed for PTA road accidents|accessdate=24 December 2008}}</ref>

{{Quotation|We are going to meet with the bus owners to discuss ways to improve the way Putco carries our people.|Provincial minister Fish Mahlalela|South African Press Association}}

==See also==
* [[1957 Alexandra bus boycott]]
* [[Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment]]
* [[Taxi wars in South Africa]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.putco.co.za Official PUTCO website]

{{Greater Johannesburg|transport}}
{{Witwatersrand companies}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Putco}}
[[Category:Transport companies established in 1945]]
[[Category:Bus companies of South Africa]]
[[Category:Companies based in Sandton]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in South Africa]]