Durban deserves good public transport
THE lack of a good public transport network in Durban has become a burden for many commuters.
Most poorer people rely on minibus taxis to convey them and often have costly and complicated trips to and from work.
All that will change with the introduction of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) or Go! Durban, as it has been branded.
We caught up with Thami Manyathi, head of the eThekwini Transport Authority and former head of transport for the Western Cape region, for an update on progress on the first phase of the multibillionrand scheme.
Manyathi said while a contractual dispute had delayed progress on one of the four transport corridors that comprise the first phase of Go! Durban, there’s reason for optimism.
He said big business had come on board to provide extra capital to assist in fast-tracking parts of the project – notably the corridor that will link King Shaka International Airport and Dube Tradeport to the Cornubia mixed housing development, uMhlanga, and the city.
He said work on this corridor will begin within weeks.
Manyathi said the C3 corridor between Pinetown and Bridge City, which was scheduled for completion by the middle of next year, is not likely to be completed until the end of next year due to a legal challenge mounted by an unsuccessful bidder for a R380 million contract to build part of the corridor.
Manyathi said the delay was unfortunate, as was dissatisfaction among some taxi operators, who questioned whether they would be included in the scheme.
Last year taxi owners presented their lists of demands to the council and met Durban mayor James Nxumalo to pres- ent memorandums. Manyathi said the city had been in consultations with bus and taxi operators for four years.
“Legislation demands that we involve existing operators. They are central to our plans, but business will be conducted differently and strictly regulated once the Go! Durban project is fully operational.
“Contracts will be drawn up for the delivery of services and operators will be held to account.”
Manyathi said those who chose not to be redeployed as employees of the project could opt for a buyout.
While the city originally envisaged completing the four corridors of the first phase of Go! Durban simultaneously, budgetary constraints had necessitated a return to the drawing board.
“It proved impossible for national and local government to come up with the required funding in the planned time frame. They will be completed by 2019.”
Manyathi said another positive development was the likelihood that linking the CBD to the new network would advance faster than initially planned.
“Next year we’ll be busy with the C2 corridor (Bridge City to Umlazi), buying the new trains needed for the network, upgrading stations, signals and infrastructure.”
The trains will be manufactured in Nigel, Ekurhuleni, but KZN suppliers stand to benefit from contracts totalling billions, Manyathi said.
“There will be significant opportunities for local suppliers and manufacturers of anything from steel to bolts to rivets and wheels.
“The whole focus of Go! Durban is an aggressive move towards the empowerment of local communities and the previously disadvantaged.
“Close to R1bn of work equity has gone to priority business enterprises and a fur- ther R350m to smaller businesses in the wards and city.”
Manyathi said the project encouraged joint ventures between captains of industry and smaller operators.
In the first phase of Go! Durban, 3 000 jobs had been created in the communities where construction is taking place. “We are extremely proud that the project is delivering on its aims of empowerment, equity and employment.
“Dealing with a range of disruptions last year was tough, but it is imperative to keep going at full speed to reduce cost escalation on the project. This city deserves a good public transport system.
“Quality of life surveys show that public transport is the number one concern for most people because it allows them to access opportunities and improve their standard of living. That is what drives my team, and it is what will put the city on a new and positive development path.”