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GEORGE NEWS - Officials of George Municipality, the Provincial Department of Transport and members of a council committee for the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) met twice this week in an attempt to resolve some long-standing issues which resulted in an alleged breakdown in communication.
The front page story in last week's George Herald shed light on the fragile relationship between the provincial department and the municipality.
In a report, Municipal Manager Trevor Botha mentioned a failed mediation process following months of internal strife between municipal officials involved in the running of GO GEORGE and their provincial colleagues. According to the report, provincial officials have been ordered to cease all contact or involvement with local officials of the GIPTN.
George Councillor Bazil Petrus said on Tuesday he believes this week's meetings will strongly benefit the relationship between the two authorities and that a positive outcome can be expected.
Provincial Deputy Director, Adv Kyle Reinecke, said "it would be unfair to comment at this point, but I hope that some clarity will result from these meetings".
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Council and GIPTN
Petrus chairs a committee, established in April with 12 councillors as members, to play an oversight role in the GIPTN and GO GEORGE project. "Council has established this committee so that the GIPTN can receive its full attention," said Petrus.
"The purpose of the committee is to successfully roll out the entire project to the benefit of the residents of George. We realise that mistakes have been made in the past, because it was a new project for everyone. We are optimistic that we can only achieve greater success in the future."
Committee members and officials of George Municipality involved in the GIPTN met with the directors of George Link, the GO GEORGE operating company, last week Thursday at the bus depot, whereafter they paid a visit to the George Transport Hub in Cradock Street. Some of the problems raised by the commuters were discussed, such as having to wait elsewhere in the vicinity in the rain while the hub is currently underutilised.
Petrus said many economic opportunities have been missed during the roll-out of the GO GEORGE project. "Those opportunities should have actually been for the people of George. We want to place some of the decision-making processes in municipal hands to ensure that the benefits that are currently going to other places will be redirected to George." He said GO GEORGE is one component of the broader traffic system and that the committee wants to reach out to the taxi industry.
Petrus confirmed that a special council meeting has been scheduled for the discussion of various items on the GIPTN. "Recommendations will serve in Council that will drastically influence the way in which the service will be dealt with, but I can't say too much about it right now. The problems we experience are growing pains that could be resolved through conversation and dialogue."
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