Johannesburg launches pothole reporting app
Cape Town – Residents in Johannesburg may now have an effective way to communicate the number of potholes on the roads.
The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) is in the testing phase of its Find & Fix application that allows people to report potholes with GPS co-ordinates.
“The Find & Fix app will assist the public to report potholes, faulty traffic signals, storm water drains, manhole covers, and other infrastructure issues related to JRA,” said Skhumbuzo Macozoma, MD of JRA.
The application which is in beta or testing phase, is available on Android, iOS and Windows Phone platforms, and Macozoma encouraged residents to try it out.
“Residents can download the beta testing app for Microsoft platforms from 25 April, Android phones on 2 May and iOS systems on 9 May.”
Channels
The app forms part of the “Just tell us” campaign in Johannesburg which seeks to make the agency more accessible to residents of the city.
The agency has a number of channels on social media to enable residents to report issues related to roads and storm water problems. Residents can also call 0860 562 874 or send an email to the JRA.
South Africans have increasingly taken to social media to express their frustrations with government officials and online protest can often become viral.
In the US, the New York Police Department recently launched a Twitter campaign to change the image of the force but it backfired as many tweeted images of the police engaged in brutal acts.
In SA, the Indigo Trust and the African Media Initiative have offered grants of up to R200 000 for ideas to make data come alive and spark change in society.
