September 28, 2004
By Thomas Thale
THE Managing Director of the Metropolitan Bus Services (Metrobus), Asokan Poogesen Naidu, has resigned to take up a senior executive position in the financial services industry.
Naidu's resignation is effective from 30 September, when Ayanda Vilakazi and Vinod Naidoo will take over as joint acting-MDs until a permanent appointment is made.
Vilakazi is currently the business development executive and marketing officer whilst Naidoo is the executive finance officer of the council-owned company.
As head of Metrobus since 2000, Naidu oversaw the restructuring of the company from a council department into a commercially viable corporatised entity.
During his tenure, Naidu managed to turn the bus company around from a loss-making entity to a viable concern, says Vilakazi. "He started from scratch, putting systems in place and giving the company a corporate brand."
With Naidu at the helm, Metrobus improved customer service by buying a new fleet of 200 slick buses and introducing the tag system, a new fare collection smart card that is safe, durable and reliable. These reloadable tags can be loaded with any amount of money and allow commuters to take the bus whenever they choose.
Vilakazi adds that Naidu leaves the company in a sound financial position. "For the year ended 30 June, our operating profit for the year was R41-million, up from R9,1-million recorded last year. Our revenue increased by 30% over the past year."
According to Vilakazi, Naidu, who is currently the national vice-president of the South African Bus Operators' Association, intends leaving the transport industry completely to pursue other personal career goals.
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