Polokwane bus rank deteriorates into state of disarray

POLOKWANE – A lack of security services and maintenance is what has caused the bus rank on the corner of Silicon and Hospital streets to deteriorate to a state of complete disarray.

Ticket cashiers have previous vacated the building, and now once again sell tickets in company vehicles on the precinct, as it is safer outside than inside the buildings, the sellers said.

The infrastructure, which can cater for more than 50 commuters with designated cashier stalls for Great North Transport and Bahwaduba buses among others has dilapidated, as a result of vagrants who have invaded the state infrastructure, commuters chairperson Philip Mabapa told Polokwane Observer.

Glass doors have been left broken, electrical wires and boxes have been dismantled and the sanitation system in the building is in a state of dysfunction, he added.

Of grave concern for Mabapa is the sharing of restrooms for both male and female commuters, because of the faulty sanitation system and broken pipes.

“The men’s toilets have not been functioning for a while now, so they share the facilities with women.”

There are no signs of security systems or personnel for protection services on site.

It is especially those who visit the facility outside of peak hours that have to bear the brunt of bullying and threats from vagrants, Mabapa said.

Contacted for comment, the Polokwane Municipality said the building itself is the responsibility of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency. Municipal spokesperson, Thipa Selala said local government is only responsible for supplying water to the facility.

Meanwhile, the agency’s communications head, Patrick Monkoe said his unit would investigate the matter.

From commuters, it remains a question of what the budget allocated for maintenance in this year’s financial year is being used for.

“We cannot afford other means of transport and those who are given the responsibility by the state to take care of us are keeping our tax money and using it – for what we do know. Was there no maintenance funds allocated for us in this financial year?” Mapaba exclaimed. Elsewhere in Limpopo, the DA said it conducted oversight visits and found that there were no ticket sales.

“The delay in vehicle parts procurement contributes greatly to the deterioration of the fleet. It is clear that the turnaround strategy was ill-conceived as rural bus depots are now under-resourced and have critical vacancies which diminish their services,” it said in a statement in June.