A first for George

Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEOS - The first regional Government Motor Transport Hub in the Western Cape was officially opened on Monday in George. Situated in York Street near the Go George bus depot, it is hoped that it will bring service delivery closer to people.

The official opening was planned for earlier this year, but had to be postponed because of the lockdown. Known in the past as the government garage, it will now be called the George Regional Hub and will service clients in the Garden Route, Central Karoo and Overberg districts. In addition, it will serve national clients such as the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries at the offices in the Eastern Cape.

The new facility can accommodate 157 vehicles and the office block will accommodate six GMT officials.

Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works, Bonginkosi Madikizela, performed the official opening. He said the facility is the first step in his department's vision for 2020 to 2025, namely to take service delivery closer to the people, and he is very exited about it.

One of the reasons why George was chosen is because together with other neighbouring municipalities, it is poised to be the next metro in the Western Cape.

It will service both provincial and national departments. It will also increase response time for the Department of Health, as some of their vehicles are kept there.

Watch two videos below:

Yasir Ahmed, chief director of Government Motor Transport in the Western Cape, said in the past, if a department wanted a vehicle, it was provided on a permanent basis and charged for every day, whether they used it or not. Now a pool system is in place and a client is only charged for the number of days he uses a vehicle.

Two technical staff members are currently based here and more will be appointed later. Breakdowns in the region can be brought to this facility, while these technicians can respond to call-outs instead of a staff member driving all the way from Cape Town.

According to information supplied to George Herald, the construction period for the new facility was 22 weeks. The project was completed on schedule on 31 July 2019. The final total project cost came to R9 713 470,07. About 40 local jobs were created through the project.

Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela (left); George Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke and George Mayor Leon van Wyk at the opening of the new facility.

From left are chief director of Government Motor Transport in the Western Cape Yasir Ahmed; George Mayor Leon van Wyk; Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela; and George Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke.

Chief director of Government Motor Transport in the Western Cape Yasir Ahmed, with Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela. Photos: Eugene Gunning