To assist minibus taxi operators, associations and the regional taxi leadership improve their business, operations and their service to commuters, eThekwini Municipality will roll-out a Public Transport Service Improvement Programme in October, National Transport month.

This programme, which was approved at the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee meeting and at Full Council, aims to support the taxi industry.

Chairperson of the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Mondli Mthembu commended the programme because it will strengthen relations between the public transport industry and the Municipality.

“The introduction of this customer service improvement programme, ahead of the implementation of its new integrated public transport network – GO!Durban, is in response to the call by citizens for better, safer, more efficient and reliable public transport. Through this initiative, we are also formalising and promoting road safety,” he said.

The programme is designed to use a set of rewards to incentivise improved performance by participants including commuters to ensure better customer care and an increase in standard of the provision of public transport for all.

EThekwini Transport Authority Deputy Head for Public Transport, Mlungisi Wosiyana said the plan is to provide support to operators, associations and regional offices with the aim to improve the running of their businesses and improving their business environment.

“For the City to function optimally economically, we need improved reliability and efficiency of our public transport service. Going hand in hand with this is driver development and empowerment as we work together with the operators and associations to ensure that we are all aiming towards one common goal,” he explained.

When the project is being piloted, qualifying operators will continue on their allocated routes and commuters will be given opportunities to rate their trip experience. Ratings done by the commuter will pertain to the overloading of vehicles, speeding or reckless driving, loud music, cleanliness of vehicles and the attitude of the drivers and their assistants. The vehicles will be required to have appropriate up-to-date licensing and roadworthiness certifications.

Wosiyana said the programme will provide rewards to drivers, owners, regions and associations which will be based on commuter ratings.

“We have designed a programme that is able to track vehicles, obtain feedback from the various structures like rank marshalls and associations and commuter ratings. But it is also important that vehicle owners ensure compliance with relevant transport by-laws and regulations,” he added.

The incentives programme, which has been approved by Council, incorporates many suggestions and proposals, which were obtained through consultation with minibus taxi leadership. This collaboration bodes well for the future.

As part of the preparation for the formal launch of the programme in October, detailed briefing sessions will be conducted with taxi associations, operators and drivers in the City, so that everyone is clear about the qualification criteria, incentives applicable to them, and the implementation process. The first phase, which will be launched in October, will be a pilot, with the full roll-out in the last quarter of the 2017/18 financial year.

The eThekwini Municipality will hold a community engagement to present the plans and progress for GO!Durban, the City’s new integrated rapid public transport network, in Ward 92 on Sunday, March 26 from 10am to 12 noon at the Clermont Hall, 12th Street, Clermont.

The Ward Councillor and officials of the eThekwini Transport Authority will host the engagement in this ward, which is affected by the construction of the dedicated bus lane on the first route of GO!Durban which runs from Bridge City in KwaMashu to the Pinetown CBD.

A public meeting to discuss future planning and consultation for the development of an upgraded New Germany precinct will be held at the New Germany Primary School, on Thursday March 23 at 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Residents, ratepayers, business-owners and interested parties are invited to attend the meeting.

This follows a similar meeting which was held in Pinetown on March 8 to discuss the urban upgrade in the Pinetown CBD. As the GO!Durban dedicated bus lanes are nearing completion, the eThekwini Municipality is embarking on a consultation process to discuss the urban design upgrades of the area.

The eThekwini Municipality will hold a community engagement to present the plans and progress for GO!Durban, the City’s new integrated rapid public transport network in Ward 22 on Saturday, March 18 at 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Shembe Community Hall, 18 Avenue, Clermont Shembe. This ward includes Athol heights, Chilten Hills, Clermont, Nduduma and KwaDabeka B.

The Ward Councillor and officials of the eThekwini Transport Authority will host the engagement in this ward, which is affected by the construction of the dedicated bus lane on the first route of GO!Durban which runs from Bridge City in KwaMashu to the Pinetown CBD.

The eThekwini Municipality is to hold a community engagement to present the plans and progress for GO!Durban, the City’s new integrated rapid public transport network in Ward 54 on Sunday, March 19 at 10:00am to 12:00pm at Newtown C Community Hall, C795 Umshado Road, Inanda.

The Ward Councillor and officials of the eThekwini Transport Authority will host the engagement in this ward, which is affected by the construction of the dedicated bus lane on the first route of GO!Durban that runs from Bridge City in KwaMashu to the Pinetown CBD.

The new GO!Durban public transport network will provide a safer, more efficient and affordable public transport system for all the people of the city, linking areas and spaces which have in the past been difficult to access through divisive urban planning.

“We urge residents and business-owners, and workers – all stakeholders in this ward, to attend the meeting to find out more about GO!Durban and how it will ultimately benefit us all,” says Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Cllr Zandile Gumede. “It is also important that stakeholders also learn about the empowerment opportunities that are available in terms of contracts, employment and skills development that are being provided. This engagement is one way in which we can keep citizens updated in the work we are doing. People attending will be able to question, raise concerns and resolve issues, where possible, with our officials from the project, who will be in attendance.”

“We invite our citizens to work together with us as we move forward – this is one of the most significant infrastructural projects ever to be undertaken by the City and it goes a long way to help make our City one of Africa’s most caring and liveable city.”

The engagement will take place from 10:00am to 12:00pm in Ward 54 at Newtown C Community Hall, C795 Umshado Road, Inanda

Commuters, residents and businesses in the Pinetown CBD are advised that there will be a temporary deviation on the St John’s and Qashana Khuzwayo (Shepstone) Road intersection to allow for asphalting of the roads over night beginning at 6pm on Tuesday, February 14 and ending at 7am on Saturday, February 18.

Work will take place during the evening to minimize inconvenience to the public.

Motorists will have access along St. John’s Avenue at all times. Anyone wishing to cross over St. John’s Avenue will have to turn left at the closure and a traffic safety team will help the motorist to make U-turn to gain access to the other side of the closure, as shown in the diagram.

The closure will be taken down at the end of each shift to allow the intersection to function normally during the day.

Motorists are requested to use the alternative routes on the affected days to avoid delays.

The eThekwini Transport Authority requests your patience and understanding as final touches are made to the various roads for the eThekwini Municipality’s GO!Durban dedicated bus lanes.

For more information on the construction work call 073 293 5144 (business hours)