The driving academy for the integrated public transport system in Nelson Mandela Bay was launched on Monday.
Speaking at the launch of the academy in West End, Port Elizabeth, Roads and Transport MMC Rano Kayser said they would be training 144 local drivers through the academy.
He said he would like to see operators of the Cleary Park to CBD route benefit the most from the new system.
Kayser added that they are professionalising the taxi industry and making sure that people at grassroots level are the main beneficiaries of the IPTS programme.
He said that their plan is to make that the people directly affected by process are the direct beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the construction of the holding area for the IPTS buses also started on Monday.
Kayser said the appointed construction company was hiring members of the local community to help tackle the high unemployment rate.
He said that the contractor will hire sliding door operators to be part of the infrastructural teams.
