UCT and Amalgamated Transport Services signed a memorandum of understanding that will see 15- seater taxis ferrying staff and students between the Mowbray and Claremont taxi interchanges and the Jammie Shuttle terminus on lower campus.

The service will run between 06h00 and 09h00, Mondays to Fridays, from 18 February 2008, for a two-year trial.

The contracted taxis will provide an exclusive, scheduled service, carrying onboard verification machines that will automatically check student and staff cards.

Jammie Shuttles will operate at all other times of the day on these routes. Other routes will be unaffected.

This "peak lopping" will free up Shuttles on that route. They will be deployed elsewhere.

In terms of the MoU, UCT will provide driver and management training, oversee public liability insurance and provide Jammie Shuttle branding in the front windows of participating vehicles.

The agreement has been hailed a precedent for the city.

DVC Prof Martin Hall said this model could work for the broader public as part of an integrated transport plan for the city.