Everyone from motorists to curio sellers will benefit from Go! Durban
THE INTEGRATED Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) project, or Go! Durban, as it is more popularly known, is forging ahead despite unforeseen delays, including disputes and pending court action about the awarding of contracts for certain phases, taxi industry protests, and service delivery unrest.
At a meeting with press representatives at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, addressed by mayor James Nxumalo, there was encouraging news on progress of the initial two phases of the mega project – the C3 corridor, linking Bridge City, KwaMashu to Pinetown, and the C9, which is designed to run between uMhlanga and KwaMashu.
Thami Manyathi, head of the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA), said the project was an unqualified success in terms of equity distribution and job creation in the region. He said skills transfer had been a priority and would ensure residents in the areas of construction had viable talents to contribute to the economy after completion of the scheme.
Deputy head, Mlungisi Wosiyala, said job creation had flourished and would continue to remain a high priority, with 10 454 created, 5 000 of these allocated to youth. Women had been given 1 464 and 81 created for the disabled.
Mnyathi said everything pos- sible would be done to ensure there were no job losses when the Go! Durban network became operational, and entailed the upskilling of those in the transport industries, as well as attracting new and differing skills sets from existing city employees.
“A massive skills development programme is about to commence. Some communities are still bruised from 2010, and have the perception that benefits didn’t cascade to as many beneficiaries as expected. We want to allay their fears on that score.”
Goosebumps
Referring to recent unrest among members of the taxi industry, he said: “We are negotiating with transport operators and it is not going to be easy but we are confident we can navigate these choppy waters.”
Mnyathi bears responsibility for overseeing the massive, multi-billion rand project, which is designed to bring Durban in line with other developed cities in the world, and improve access to economic opportunities for all citizens.
“At this point it is smooth sailing, but like iDada (duck), which may seem to be gliding smoothly on the water, underneath there is furious activity taking place.
“Other cities identify discrete corridors and work at upgrading transport networks bit by bit. We have decided on a larger scale network project that will take our city a giant step forward.”
“We spent R840 million in the last financial year and would have reached the R1 billion mark, but for unexpected disruptions. This year we have spent R407m and would have spent R1.2bn by the end of June 2016. Project costs are between R110m and R135m of the allocated budget each month.”
He said progress exceeded expectations, despite un-scheduled delays, and “the 18-hour days we (the management team members) are putting in are paying off ”.
Mnyathi said the key focus in 2016 would be operational readiness, with the 26km long C3 corridor scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2017. The corridor is to include 16 passenger transfer stations, a transport management centre and terminal, and a depot at Bridge City.
“We have appointed a number of teams to work in tandem to accelerate service delivery, but two contracts could not be awarded, pending procurement appeals. The people of Pinetown have had to endure a lot of congestion and inconvenience but they are beginning to appreciate what the future holds, and the benefits they will gain.”
Mnyathi said he was “so proud of my teams and their hard work. I get goosebumps when I drive down Josiah Gumede Street and see the project shaping up”.
While completion is expected to take 15 years, said Mnyathi, “we have designed the complete transport solution for Durban…”