Metro vows to complete delayed north BRT project by May
Affected taxi operators and residents are appealing to Tshwane to finish the R2-billion project that has been dragging on for over six years.
The Wonderboom intermodal interchange and Hector Peterson A Re Yeng BRT station upgrades are set to be completed by May, according to the metro.
The R2-billion project has been dragging on for over six years and was due to be finished by September last year.
Metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the construction of line 2A was expected to be completed by end of April and line 2B, currently in the final stages of construction, by the end of May.
He said the structural steelwork such as bridge 6 and 7 extensions including roof, canopy and balustrades was delaying “the mechanical installation and landscaping at the entrance and ablution facilities”.
He said this was a complex multi-disciplinary project with multiple mechanical, civil and electrical interfaces, hence difficult to finish on time.
“Detail designs and contract construction execution is interlinked and needs intensive co-ordination by the professional team, contractor, and sub-contractors.
There is thus a high risk of delays and this must be acknowledged and managed,” he said.
The project was planned as terminals part of the bus rapid transit line 1A from the Pretoria railway station along Paul Kruger Street to integrated public transport to encompass Wonderboom railway station, long distance buses, mini-bus rank as well as a park and ride facility.
The metro said it provided temporary park and ride facilities during construction.
Currently, taxi operators utilise an informal temporary facility at 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.
On the other hand, taxi operators complained that incomplete project deprived them the taxi rank they were promised and comfortable accommodation for their clients.
They called on the metro to be transparent about the reasons for the delay.
The resulting anger and frustration led to taxi drivers breaching an agreement their associations entered into with they metro that they would drop off their passengers at the station.
As part of that agreement, the metro had paid the associations.
Taxi driver Bongani Malepe said they also have families to feed and the delay in the completion of the project is making their life harder.
“We were promised a taxi rank, but now nothing is being said about that.
It is not fair because the project has been ongoing for a long time and should have been finished a long time ago.
We are still going to operate in this area as long as they have not updated us with anything,” said Malepe.
Resident Thembi Skhosana said the project must be finished soon, as winter is approaching.
“Some of us rely on these buses as they are affordable and comfortable, unlike taxis.
The winter season is creeping in and criminals are set to seize this opportunity to commit crime and we need the project to be finished as soon as possible for our safety.
“Tshwane, please do the right thing because it’s been a long time since the project started,” said Skhosana.
ALSO READ: Tshwane mum on Wonderboom transport system delays
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