GEORGE NEWS - It is all systems go to roll out the Go George bus service in Thembalethu. After many years it seems to move a step closer to a full service. 

A dry run through the area took place on Tuesday 29 August and as far as could established there were no incidents. It will continue.

During these drives, undertaken in the blue and green branded buses, the real time it takes to complete the various proposed routes by bus will be established and checked against the proposed timetables.

A final date for the first stage of the three-stage roll-out is still to be announced.

Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape minister of mobility visited George on Tuesday. He told George Herald it is important to get the dry run going. The people of Thembalethu deserve a safe, reliable and affordable transport service. People must have alternative choices - whether it is taxis, buses and hopefully in the future trains.

He stressed that the bus service in Thembalethu will go ahead. "It is not if, but when."

He is happy with what he has seen. About the bottleneck at the Thembalethu-bridge that crosses the N2 he believes if people chose public transport above private transport it will help solve the congestion problem. "I encourage the people of Thembalethu to leave their cars at home and use the busses."

Chantèl Edwards, spokesperson for the George Municipality said the existing congestion has been factored into the planning for Thembalethu.

The residents of Thembalethu have been patiently waiting for a long time for access to a scheduled public transport service. Service delivery needs to proceed and the bridge construction will continue for several months. 

The integrated transport network needs to connect the various areas in George and as such, there are still several areas without access to scheduled public transport, including Wilderness, the George airport and Herolds Bay. These areas cannot be rolled out until Thembalethu has been implemented.

Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape minister of mobility visited George on Tuesday. With him is James Robb, ceo of Go George and Katherine Robb (6). Richard Shumi, chairperson of the Thembalethu Business Chamber, said there is congestion at the bridge that crosses the N2. It is therefore questionable if the timing is correct to roll out the bus service at this stage, but he added that people should have alternative options to transport. 

That must be seen in the light of the recent taxi strike which had an impact on many people.

"People should have the opportunity to decide for themselves of which service they would like to make use of."

He said perhaps an imbizo should be considered where people of the area can provide their input regarding the situation.

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