GEORGE NEWS - It is not clear if Phase 4B of the Go George bus service will be rolled out before the end of this month as announced by the Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Bonginkosi Madikizela.
Madikizela visited George on Thursday 6 June to familiarise himself with the public transport situation in George and to meet with Go George stakeholders and municipal officials.
During his visit Madikizela said the roll-out of Phase 4B should be expected within the next two weeks "at most".
Phase 4B will service Conville, Parkdene, Ballotsview, Borcherds and Lawaaikamp. He also said he would further consult with the new national Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, over this matter.
In a response to George Herald's enquiry, Mbalula's office said he has been briefed by the Department of Transport on matters pertaining to the Go George bus service and that the minister "plans to engage with the Western Cape Provincial Government on these issues and will communicate his position thereafter."
On request for an update on the situation on Tuesday, Madikizela's office responded that "a meeting between Minister Mbalula and Minister Madikizela is scheduled to take place tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday 19 June) to discuss the roll-out of Go George".
Meanwhile the George Community Forum (GCF) said they have met with a representative of the national Department of Transport on Monday
17 June to inform him of their concerns about the roll-out. Xolisani Booi, chairman of the GCF, said they are still waiting to be consulted with regard to this process, as former Minister of Transport Blade Nzimande promised that all local stakeholders would be consulted before any roll-out.
"We were shocked by the provincial minister's announcement about the roll-out as we are still waiting to be consulted about this process. No one has talked to us yet from the provincial office. We hope to get hold of the national minster, so he can engage with us on this matter," said Booi.
Read a previous article: Phase 4B roll-out in sight
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