Billions allocated for the Go!Durban project

A NEW Germany resident is fed up with the Go!Durban project and due to the messy state of the roads, is worried that someone is going to be seriously hurt or worse, killed.

Neville Matthews said he complained many times to the managers of this project, only to be met with excuses.

ALSO READ: Opening of first Go!Durban route delayed

The unfinished, billion Rand project has left Pinetown and New Germany area in an unsightly, dirty state with littered shambles, resembling the aftermath of an explosion.

“The intersection of Qashana Khuzwayo (Shepstone Road) and Crompton Street is a total disgrace. This project has cost the businesses in Pinetown millions because of the disruptions. One now cannot turn into the entrance of a business on the other side of Old Main Road as one used to due to the monumental shambles called ‘Go!Durban’,” said Matthews.

He said he has tried on many occasions to get a response but it seems like no-one in the municipality has answers for him.

“The resultant shambles on some of the roads allow the taxis to drive as they please, breaking every law in the book.”

The Highway Mail also asked for comment about the status of this project and the reason for the hold-up, but two weeks later, there has still been no response.

ALSO READ: Going nowhere Durban project a disgrace

Ward 21 DA PR Councillor, Riona Gokool, said she also sent questions to the eThekwini Transport Authority on 16 August regarding Go Durban and she received some answers last week which she shared with Highway Mail:

Here are some of the questions and answers:

• Why has no business plan to date been shown to the committee ie Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee?

The Phase 1 implementation plan, business plan and operations plan were presented to all committees and approved by Council in 2012. An updated plan will be presented to all committees close to the start of the C3 operations.

• What is the budget vs the cost to date?

ALSO READ: Projects GO! nowhere slowly

The City has received an allocation of R5b from National Department of Transport to date.

• What is the total budgeted cost?

The estimated total budget for the entire project phases is R20 billion over a period of about 10 years. The implementation is done in a phased approach with Corridor 3 between Pinetown and Bridge City being the first corridor.

• Is the recent R1.5 billion loan going to be used for the project in any way?

The loan is going to be used to fund the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) grant funding shortfall.

• What will the cost of fares be?

Fares will be calculated on the distance travelled. The highest fare paid for C3 will be R21.50

• Do we have an estimate of how many commuters will use the bus on a daily basis?

The monthly demand for C3 is estimated at between 98 000 and 220 000.

• Why was the start date for the project missed?

The Go!Live date was missed because of at least six protracted work stoppages which resulted in delays in infrastructure delivery; delays in Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes as well as negotiations with both minibus taxi and bus industry structures.

• What is the new start date?

The new target Go!Live date is first quarter of 2019 which will be the system commissioning and testing.

• How many buses in total will be operable?

ALSO READ: New Germany residents question progress of Go!Durban project

The first phase will have 30 buses which will incrementally increase to 74 over the three year period.

• To date what is the cost of damage to the entire project?

This may be difficult to quantify on the basis that not all the stations nor general infrastructure have been handed over to ETA instead, contractors are custodians and anything that happens, happens under their control. They therefore keep records that include the cost of damages.

• Is there going to be security for the project?

Yes, the project will be monitored by static security guards at the stations, 24/7. The corridors will have patrol units ensuring no unauthorised operators or general motorist enter the corridor/bus lanes. These units will also be supported by the monitoring systems controlled from a traffic management control centre.

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