The GO! Durban project which will provide a fully integrated rapid public transport network (IRPTN) for the people of eThekwini has started to roll-out ahead of major milestones in the first quarter of 2014.
The City’s future vision to be one of Africa’s leading metropolitan areas by 2030 will soon revolutionize and modernize the way of life for all citizens, tourists and business people travelling through the city.
The award of six construction contracts to the value of R3 billion for the C3 (Pinetown to Bridge City) corridor will take place shortly. The seventh contractor is already on site. Tenders for construction on corridors C1 (Bridge City to CBD) and C9 (Bridge City to Umhlanga) are scheduled to be advertised before the end of the financial year. Tenders for the Integrated Fare Management Services (IFMS) and Intelligent Transport System (ITS) have already been advertised, and should be awarded by May. The commencement of construction, consolidation of the ”Muvo” card (the cashless card system), engaging with community stakeholders, businesses and the eThekwini citizens, as well as the launch of a mobile marketing bus will drive the project in early 2014.
The roll-out of GO! Durban is based on a wall to wall plan, which details a network of nine trunk corridors supported by feeder and complimentary services covering the whole city, with different modes of public transport (rail, bus and taxi) integrated to provide seamless, efficient and affordable service. Phase 1, which consists of C1, C2 (Bridge City to Umlazi – rail), C3 and C9 corridors, is planned for completion by 2018.
The Phase 1 network will accommodate approximately 25 per cent of the city’s public transport demand on corridors C1, C3 and C9, with a further 40 per cent being accommodated on the C2 rail corridor, as part of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) implementation plans. This approach ensures a recognisable benefit to the maximum number of users in the shortest period of time.
Construction on the C3 corridor will see construction of dedicated median bus lanes, as well as platforms for transfer stations, which will be built under a separate contract. On some sections of the corridor, like through the Pinetown CBD, the road will be rehabilitated, strengthened and widened, as necessary, and current traffic problems in the area addressed.
The commencement of construction activities will also mark the start of the implementation of the GO! Durban Empowerment Charter, which promotes participation of priority business entities in all contracts, subcontracting to local contractors , and sourcing of materials from local suppliers. The Charter also promotes the utilisation of local unskilled labour, skills development, employment of unemployed graduates, and corporate social investment.
PRASA (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa) continues to drive the improvements along the C2 Corridor, with approximately R1bn being earmarked for the upgrade of their stations as part of the National Modernisation Programme. Additional investments will go toward upgrading the signalling system and infrastructure on the corridor, as well as the acquisition of new rolling stock, with delivery of new train sets expected to start toward the end of 2015.
The GO! Durban activation bus has been launched which provides a mobile promotional and information platform to engage with communities, schools and public forums from meetings to events to disseminate information about the project. The bus was launched at the ETA by His Worship, Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo and head of ETA, Thami Manyathi.
