AFTER many disruptions and inconvenience caused by the Go!Durban project for motorists, residents and business owners, the project is finally showing some improvements as buses are expected to be operational in the latter half of 2018.
According to Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Thami Manyathi, the plans for the full eThekwini Municipality network of 8 Bus Rapid Transit lanes and one rail corridor (upgraded by PRASA) will be completed by 2030.
“The C3 route from Pinetown to KwaMashu via New Germany, Clermont, KwaDabeka and Newlands is nearing completion (with some construction in Dinkelman Road still needing to be done, but this won’t affect operations). The plan is to be operational in the latter half of 2018,” he said.
Manyathi said the first route, C3, was planned to be operational in 2016. The full network consisting of nine main routes, by 2030.
When asked about what has been delaying this project, Manyathi said working on an existing busy roadway within an urban environment proved a massive challenge for the contractors causing delays.
“The City also had to negotiate with business owners and land owners, which also had its own set of challenges as in some sections land had to be acquired and due diligence had to be done.”
He added that delays were also caused by weather, labour and other community-based issues.”The relaying of water mains in New Germany, and the relaying of other services so as to avoid digging up roads in a few years time caused delays. However all these learnings have been put on the table for the next route being constructed from KwaMashu to Umhlanga,” said Manyathi.
Also read: GO!Durban C3 Corridor paves a road of convenience
How will taxis be affected by this project?
Manyathi said the City has been engaging with the Taxi Leadership since 2011 before construction began in 2014. The taxi leadership and the City signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in 2014 agreeing to the roles and responsibilities of the negotiation process, which began earlier this year (2017).
This negotiation process will result in how the industry will participate in the system in the future. The city is committed to negotiating with affected operators as stipulated in the National Land Transport Act, Act No. 5 of 2009. The Taxi Industry will benefit from the new system – exactly how is dependent on the negotiation process, on which no-one is as yet able to comment.
Recently the project was almost disrupted as taxi associations in Clermont and Pinetown planned a march to drop off a memorandum with their grievances to the Mayor, Zandile Gumede as they claimed the City was not involving them in this project.
Wellington Mkhombe, secretary of the Clermont and KwaDabeka Taxi Association said their concern was that the City was not engaging with them but was speaking to the eThekwini Municipality Taxi Council (EMTC).
“This project has been going for four years but were not aware of what our role will be in this matter, associations around the Pinetown area will be affected by this not eThekwini.”
Mkhombe said they had a productive meeting and the City promised to keep them updated and engage with them.
“We see now that the new stations are almost done and I have to admit, they look beautiful,” he added.
Also read: GO!Durban construction moving ahead
There is light at the end of the tunnel
Over the years, businesses around New Germany and Pinetown have continuously complained about losing business because of lack of parking and digging up of the roads.
Recently, the rehabilitation of the parking and traffic flow servicing the area along Qashana Khuzwayo Road between the Escom Road and Blase Road intersections in New Germany was completed.
Parking and traffic in these roads has been disrupted due to the widening of Qashana Khuzwayo Road to make way for the dedicated bus lane running in the median, and the construction of the pilot station for GO!Durban the City’s new integrated rapid public transport network (IRPTN).
Manyathi said the new configured parking plan allows for an easier flow of traffic with angled parking bays and provision made for more efficient loading areas for this busy shopping and business hub.
He said that the new GO!Durban system with the new station at Regent Street, will result in increased foot traffic, bringing critical mass to this area and the promise of economic spin-off for these business.
“As the first draws near completion, the Universal Access at the prototype station at the intersection of Regent Street and Qashana Khuzwayo Road in New Germany was recently tested. GO!Durban stations are currently being built along the first route running from Pinetown to KwaMashu, and these stations will be what is globally known as ‘universal access’ compliant.
“This means that people with disabilities such as those with hearing or visual impairments as well as in wheelchairs and including the elderly, people with babies in prams, or with bicycles have ease of access into the stations and buses.”
The pavements leading into the stations and walkways within the stations leading into the control entrances will have tactile paving indicating where to walk. Voice prompts as well as visual prompts within the station and on buses will also be a feature.
“Wider access points will also mean easier travel for those in wheelchairs, or those with prams. The control access points within the station comprising turnstiles and a Glastile wide gate for those with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs and pushing prams were recently tested by two people in wheelchairs,” he said.
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