A new transformed public transport system is on the cards for eThekwini commuters as the city engages with the taxi and bus operators on the Tactical Adjustment Roadmap that will see a seamless transport network, automated fare collection and a single smart card ticketing system being implemented in the future.

EThekwini Municipality held an engagement with taxi and bus operators on 8 May 2024, to present the Tactical Adjustment Roadmap. This is a revised approach to implement the City’s Integrated Public Transport Network, GO!Durban. 

It involves optimising routes and integrating services of 16 existing citywide contracts currently running in the City to create on seamless network in line with the Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN).

This includes the C3 route, Priority Feeder contracts, existing contracts, and the Inner-City Distribution System. 

This approach requires the taxi and bus industry to formalise their business operations leading to an improved public transport system.

“The Tactical Adjustment Framework aims to support the progressive transformation of the existing industry, maximise the supply of passengers to the IPTN corridors and ensure a single ticketing solution is applied across all road-based modes of public transport in the eThekwini region, said Thami Manyathi, Head of eThekwini Transport Authority.

“The commencement of Priority Feeder Route contracts is expected to be in June this year, while 12-month contracts are expected to be finalised by September, seven year contracts by October 2025 and five year contracts by November 2032. The City is committed to working with the transport operators on the implementation of this Tactical Adjustment framework,” he said.

Deputy Chairperson of the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Bheki Ngwengwe said: “For an Integrated Public Transport Networks such as GO!Durban, the city is required by law under the National Land Transport Act of 2009 to integrate the existing operators of the mini bus taxi and bus industries into the new system. The City could not achieve an agreement with operators despite numerous engagements and negotiations in the past. We have since amended the approach of how to implement the programme, which we have found to be more acceptable and suitable across many stakeholders.”

Councillor Mngwengwe added that the new system requires that they move from being an informal business operation to a fairly sophisticated operation. 

“The Tactical Adjustment contracts are complex and require adherence to things such as schedules, adopting different employment practices and general formal business practices. We are aware that this is a totally different world to the current practices hence we are conducting such engagements like today to support the sector during this significant transformation process,” he concluded.

The City continues its support for active mobility through fostering key partnerships with local and international partners. This comes as the City hosted the German Ambassador and his delegation at the KwaMashu Bike Park on 25 January.

KfW German Development Bank, on behalf of the German government, has invested R13.8 million into four of the six GO!Durban Academy Bike Parks in the previously disadvantaged communities of KwaMashu, KwaDabeka, Cornubia, and Wentworth.

Funding received through the German government partnership was channeled towards infrastructure development, the building and upgrade of asphalt pump tracks, and supporting infrastructure namely solar panels, classrooms, kitchens, workshops, bike storage, ablution facilities and the installation of two fully kitted Bicycle Empowerment Centres. Additionally, equipment such as bikes, helmets, stadium-style seating, and bicycle tracking units were provided.

During the site tour, the international stakeholders interacted with local beneficiaries and experienced firsthand the impact their investment has made on the children of KwaMashu.

EThekwini Transport Authority Head Thami Manyathi said the Municipality is grateful for the support. “The impact goes beyond cycling as the academies also offer educational, life skills and musical theatre programmes. These sites which have approximately 3 355 children benefi ting from various programmes also provide a total of 72 employment opportunities including 34 full time jobs that have been created and sustained. The bike parks are a beacon of hope in their communities,” said Manyathi.

Ambassador Andreas Peschke was thrilled to see local children making use of the facilities.

Walnut Road, in the Durban central business district was alive with fun, music and family activity  at the second Open Streets  festival on 10 December.  Open Streets: Walnut Road,  although rained out at lunch time, was a hive of activity in the morning that  brought a vibey atmosphere  to an otherwise quiet street.

Located between the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre,  the street is usually associated with conferences and  mega events held at those two venues. However, on 10 December, this road was transformed into a family-oriented precinct, displaying an array of cultures co-existing along the stretch.

Thami Manyathi, Head of eThekwini Transport Authority, said the Open Streets concept encourages the free and safe movement of people, enabling them to experience the inner-city space in an exciting, carfree way.

“The Open Streets concept also reduces dependence on motorised transportation and raises acceptance of cycling and walking as ways of getting around. It also creates a space for people of diverse backgrounds to interact and build social capital and increase neighbourhood awareness, connectivity, mobility, and liveability,” he said.

Manyathi said they want to shift the current dynamic and replace it with a proactive community that comes together on a regular basis to participate in active transportation, physical activity, cultural and artistic endeavors, and to enjoy neighborhoods and communities from a different perspective–from the street.