GO!Durban project progressing at ‘rapid pace’
The C3 corridor from Bridge City in KwaMashu to Pinetown is expected to be operational by 2016.
ETHEKWINI Municipality’s GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) – possibly one of the largest service delivery projects in the transport sector ever undertaken in South Africa – is progressing at a rapid pace this year.
According to 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 memorandum of agreement (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 eThekwini citizens, as well as the launch of a mobile marketing bus and other key brand awareness events.
He said 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,” said Manyathi.
The signing of the MOA with the minibus taxi leadership took place in February last year. Key taxi leadership officials agreed to the process and the manner in which the industry would be negotiating their participation in the new system.
“This was not a signing of how they would be participating, but how a mutually-beneficial negotiation process would take place. We appointed technical advisors in November last year to support the taxi industry in the negotiations going forward. As part of this process we have planned roadshows for industry stakeholders and these should begin soon. These roadshows will provide opportunities for them to engage with these advisors and give input into their participation in the process of how they will negotiate their involvement. Furthermore, we hope to sign an MOA with the bus operators soon so that a similar process can be mapped out for them, ” added Manyathi.
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 more than 115 000 cards registered and issued to date. “This means that by the time we are operational in 2016, many commuters will be familiar with the idea and the benefits of a cashless system,” added Manyathi.
