GO!Durban construction moving ahead

CONSTRUCTION of various aspects of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), known as GO!Durban, was moving in full steam said eThekwini Transport Authority head, Thami Manyathi.

Manyathi was presenting a progress report on the IRPTN, which aims to improve public transport in the City, to the Executive Committee on Tuesday, 23 May.

According to Manyathi, the focus of implementation is on phase one which includes corridors 1, 2, 3 and 9. C3, which is the route between Pinetown and Bridge City in KwaMashu, is the first corridor planned to open.

“Progress on C3 includes 23km of 27km completed. The sections at Dinkelman Road and Crossroads are delayed but this will not affect the start of operations. The pilot station of Regent Street, New Germany is expected to be completed in June 2017. The platforms for 14 stations are completed with the top structure to be completed in November 2017.”

Manyathi explained that an interim depot is being constructed in Pinetown, pending the completion of the main depot in Bridge City. Construction of Stage 1 of the Bridge City Terminal is underway.

He said planned future activities to ensure operation readiness include forming an operational plan for C3, refinement of service plans and cost estimates to include a hybrid model which incorporates part of the existing fleet as feeders, and preparation of contract packages for negotiations with operators.

Regarding the Skills Development Strategy, he said it was completed and in place with the training of drivers and other Vehicle Operating Company requirements to begin as soon as agreements are reached with operators.

“Negotiations deal with how operators will participate in Go!Durban and also address other empowerment programmes such as Public Transport Operations Grant Contracts, Public Transport Service Improvement Incentives and Enterprise Development,” Manyathi said.

“In construction there will be 448 000 full time employment opportunities with 44 200 permanent jobs created. There will also be skills development through entrepreneurship, professional drivers, construction, manufacturing and cycling.”

He affirmed that the Empowerment Charter supported the City’s Radical Economic Transformation Framework, through contracts to empower and uplift small businesses.

The target value for local wards was R123 969 545, with the total spend to date being R170 609 045.
In greater eThekwini, the target value was R247 939 090 but the total spend to date was R332 362 444.

“We have exceeded the targets set for ourselves. Everything is moving along well,” Manyathi added.

Manyathi said formal negations with operators, including both the taxi and bus sectors, had begun. He said all engagements were chaired by an independent facilitator.

eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede, praised the work done so far and urged the unit to keep up the good work to improve the public transport system.

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