Tshwane mum on Wonderboom transport system delays
The construction of the interchange transport mode which is intended to solve transport issues in the north has passed its planned deadline which was meant to be the end of September.
The Tshwane metro has been mum about the cause of construction delays to the Wonderboom and Hector Peterson A Re Yeng transit systems in the north, leaving commuters frustrated.
The systems have been plagued by delays and postponements without an end in sight, while the metro remained unforthcoming about the reasons for these.
The almost-R2 billion project has been dragging for years and was supposed to be completed in March 2016, while operations were expected to begin at the end of June the following year.
The Wonderboom system was meant to be an integrated transport node for non-motorised, rail, bus, minibus taxi vehicles, as well as a park and ride facility to give commuters safe access to safe and convenient public transport, while the Hector Peterson project was designed to be four bus stations with a lift shaft to connect the pedestrian bridge to the ticket sales office and ablution facilities.
However these projects are now years behind schedule.
Recently Rekord contacted the metro for an update to no avail, but in July it had said the project was on track for completion at the end of September .
“The current and final phase is standing at 89% – approaching completion,” said metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo then.
“The project is in its final phase and it is hoped that it will be concluded by the end of September.”
He said it was estimated that the Hector Peterson project would accommodate 180 buses and approximately 360 taxi holding parking bays.
Mashigo said infrastructure for each of the two projects would be built while the surrounding roads would be upgraded to improve traffic flow and accessibility.
Currently taxi operators utilise an informal temporary facility across the Wonderboom station.
This arrangement has been a headache for many motorists as it meant taxis have to operate across a four-way intersection, resulting in catastrophic traffic congestion during peak hours.
Taxi operators also raised concern about the failure to complete the bus system they were promised would offer them a taxi rank and comfortable accommodation for their clients.
The operators called on the metro to be transparent regarding these projects.
Local PR councillor Dehan Harmse said completion of the projects has been long overdue and the metro needed to come clean regarding the delays.
Harmse said the projects would ease traffic flow problems, but not solve congestion in the north entirely.
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