Bid to halt funding of MyCiTi bus plans

THE ANC will today approach national government to halt funding for the MyCiTi bus project in Cape Town after the City’s refusal to respond to a resolution made by provincial government’s standing committee on transport and public works (SCTPW).

The resolution was made after SCTPW convened a public hearing at the provincial legislature on May 12.

At the meeting various stakeholders, including the South Road Families Association, the Wynberg Ratepayers Association and the Wynberg Taxi Association discussed their gripes about the planned MyCiTi bus route which will cut through Wynberg, leaving 21 families homeless.

In a letter to the SCTPW, mayco member for Transport Brett Herron wrote: “The standing committee’s oversight powers do not extend to an examination of the MyCiTi project and there is no justification for the investigation.”

The SCTPW chairperson Lennit Max said he will look into the matter this week.

“There is still a good relationship (between the City and the committee), but I cannot deny that the letter was written. I’m not prepared to comment on that, but I will be discussing it in earnest with the standing committee this week,” Max said.

Some of the recommendations made by the SCTPW on May 12 include that the City provide a list of the 27 properties which would have to be demolished to make way for the alternative routes.

Another recommendation is for the City to take SCTPW officials on an oversight visit.

Standing committee member Cameron Dugmore said the oversight visit was scheduled for Tuesday last week, but the meeting was cancelled the day before.

“When the ANC enquired about the reasons why this critical visit was cancelled, we were shocked to be informed that Herron had written to Mr Max, the DA chairperson of the standing committee.

“He not only refused to provide the detailed information requested by the committee, but stated that he does not consider that the City has any obligation to account to the provincial legislature,” Dugmore said.

Dugmore added the ANC will request an urgent meeting with Transport Minister Dipuo Peters today.

“The time has come for our national government to not only suspend all funding to MyCiTi until these serious issues raised by the committee are addressed, but to also withdraw committed funding that has already been transferred to MyCiTi,” Dugmore said.

Herron said three months have passed since he received the SCTPW’s letter requesting more information.

“In that period, the public consultation process has been concluded and the concept plan is being reconsidered in light of the comment we received.

“The information Mr Dugmore is looking for is no longer relevant,” he said.

Herron said the final proposed MyCiTi route will be tabled before council for consideration soon. carlo.petersen@inl.co.za

@carlo_petersen