Great North Transport installs WiFi on its buses
Great North Transport spokesperson Leo Gama said the project formed part of the turnaround strategy aimed at improving the service's financial state.
POLOKWANE – Great North Transport (GNT) has installed WiFi in its buses as part of a trade exchange agreement with an advertising management service provider, and according to a three-year contract, is meant to expand its transport advertising programme for the purposes of generating revenue.
Spokesperson Leo Gama said the buses are used for advertising purposes, and the revenue will be paid directly into the bus service’s account after advertisements are rendered.
In order to attract advertisers across a range of demographics, the service provider has asked to use Wi-Fi to track the population of commuters on different days, Gama told Polokwane Observer.
“For the connection, the service provider generates a portion of the commission. It is an advantage because the buses generates an extra income that can be used for maintenance and other necessary functions.”
The installation of WiFi on the buses was criticised by the DA last Monday, with the party stating that Provincial Government is prioritising non-essential supplementary services at the expense of critical operational requirements.
The DA stated that it made little sense for GNT to pursue the development while it has not been financially viable for the past eight years.
“During recent oversight visits to the eight bus depots, the DA said it found that their turnaround strategy left depots under-resourced and understaffed in providing logistical and mechanical support to a dwindling fleet, according to Risham Maharaj.
For years, commuters who travel into Polokwane have complained about the inconsistency of GNT’s service with complaints about the general roadworthiness of the buses, regular breakdowns, or the drivers not arriving on time.
Maharaj is of the view that the GNT fleet is generally unreliable.
“The service also failed to meet its contractual obligations to provide a sufficient fleet of buses by the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 financial year,” he added.
In response, Gama said the project formed part of the turnaround strategy aimed at improving the service’s financial state.
