ETHEKWINI Municipality’s GO!Durban (IRPTN) Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network, possibly one of the largest service delivery projects in the transport sector ever undertaken in South Africa “will continue to progress at a rapid pace in 2015,” says Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Thami Manyathi.
GO!Durban began rolling out major milestones in 2014 which included the awarding of five major construction tenders, the signing of an MOA with the leadership of the mini-bus taxi industry, the unveiling of the project’s Empowerment Charter, the launch of the city’s NMT (Non-Motorised Transport Network), the consolidation of the cashless MUVO smartcard system, engagements with community stakeholders, businesses and the public, as well as the launch of a mobile marketing bus and other key brand awareness events.
Construction of the dedicated lanes for buses commenced on the C3 corridor from Bridge City in KwaMashu to Pinetown, in various segments over the 24km stretch of road which comprises a large portion of the provincial MR577. Construction also began on an underpass that will extend under the M25 (Curnick Ndlovu Highway) connecting the Bridge City Precinct to the Phoenix Industrial Area. This year, work will be advanced on this route, and construction will commence on the Bridge City Depot and Terminal in KwaMashu. Construction will also begin on the stations with the first one being constructed in New Germany.
The cashless MUVO SmartCard which has been introduced into the City’s current public transport was consolidated in 2014 and is now fully operational with over 115 000 cards registered and issued to date. “This means by the time we are operational in 2016, many commuters will be familiar with the idea and the benefits of a cashless system.” says Manyathi.
The temporary Traffic Management Centre (TMC) based at the ETA will be completed this year to support the C3 operations when it becomes operational in 2016, and a contract for the construction of the new TMC in the Centrum site will be awarded in 2015. The TMC is essential for the running of GO!Durban but the development will also facilitate the growth of an essential Civic Square which will include the main city bus terminal, the new Central Library and other municipal service departments. This Civic Square will then link to the ICC, the Durban Exhibition Centre, the CBD, beachfront through walkways, cycle lanes and pedestrianized parts of the inner city area.
In an endeavour to consolidate the project and assist the public in understanding the complexities of this new system, GO!Durban will open an information centre which will act as a central hub for the business of delivering the actual the project, attracting investors and partners and other developers to it.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience during the construction period of the project,” says Manyathi. “We understand the frustrations experienced due to the inconveniences caused by road deviations and closures to enable us to develop the dedicated bus lanes on the first corridor. Every effort is being made to minimise disruptions for commuters.”
