GEORGE NEWS - After nine years of groundwork and intensive negotiations between various role players, George Mayor Charles Standers announced that Georgians can expect to see the public transport network for George implemented early next year.

The mayor says National Treasury has granted R392-million which will be spent over the next three years on creating infrastructure such as bus stops, a depot and a fare system. A fleet of brand-new buses, mini-buses and midibuses will also be acquired.

Georgians have been waiting for the system's launch since 2004, when it was first announced that George would be the pilot city where a modern public transport service with subsidised bus fares was to be implemented. The first phase of the project was to be rolled out early last year, with a test service from the CBD to the NMMU campus at Saasveld, but the operating contract and funding had not been in place on time.

Standers announced the new implementation date after a council meeting last week. "The GIPTN (George integrated public transport network) programme is on par. Currently discussions with the (taxi and bus) industry are underway and the aim is to have the operating contract finalised by the end of May with the implementation target set at January 2014."

Standers says that since this is the first project of its kind in the country for a B municipality, its success is paramount. It is being executed in co-operation with the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, and all local taxi and bus operators.

According to a budget report submitted to council, R180-m of the grant will be spent during the 2013/14 financial year, R112-m during 2014/15 and R100-m in 2015/16.

Steps that need to be followed include acquiring a bus fleet, establishing municipal management structures for the network, training programmes and rolling out infrastructure projects.

More than R50-m has been spent during the past few years on creating a temporary bus depot in York Street and upgrading certain roads,with Sandkraal Road being the biggest road upgrade. Upgrading of Cradock Street near the central taxi rank is underway, and due for completion at the end of March.

According to the budget report, the grant from Treasury is sufficient to implement the full transport system, but it is less than what was requested by the municipality. The consequence is that debt will have to be incurred to acquire vehicles and infrastructure phased in over a longer timeframe.

Financial shortfalls forecast for the current financial year will be paid for by Province. The shortfall is expected to double over the next two years, but will be covered by grants from province and the national government.

The transport system is aimed at providing Georgians with a safe, reliable, scheduled service in a brand-new fleet of close to 100 vehicles. It is anticipated to run 18 hours a day, seven days a week. The fare will be subsidised and affordable.

*Just before going to press the George Herald went to the existing taxi rank in the CBD for a photograph and spoke to a group of taxi owners, who did not seem to be so positive about the pending transport system.
Their concerns include giving up their own businesses, job security for their drivers and their long term prospects within the proposed system. They said they have to consider many families who are dependent on the taxi industry for their survival. They also felt that they were being kept in the dark as to the details of the negotiation process.

*Die langverwagte openbare vervoernetwerk waarna Georgiete uitsien is besig om sy beslag te kry ná nege jaar se intensiewe voetwerk. Nasionale Tesourie het R392 miljoen vir die projek beskikbaar gestel oor die volgende drie jaar. Daar kan nou voortgegaan word met die aankoop van 'n vloot, aanbied van opleidingsprogramme, infrastruktuurskepping en ontwikkeling van munisipale bestuurstrukture vir die netwerk. Net voor saktyd het 'n groepie taxi-eienaars aan die George Herald gesê hulle is egter nie so gerus oor die verwikkelinge nie en dat hulle bekommerd is oor hul eie en hul werknemers se langtermyn werksekuriteit.


Not so happy about the pending transport system - a group of taxi owners at the CBD taxi rank. Johannes Mlambo (fourth from right, at the back) owns three taxis and employs a driver for each. He has been operating since 1992 and says he is not willing to give up his business without any long term security. William Nogilala (second from left) said he would only do so if he received substantial compensation. Photo: Alida de Beer

ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST