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Proposed bus utilisation strategy to alleviate ongoing IPTS crisis

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Dear MyPE

Nelson Mandela Bay’s IPTS is South Africa’s most expensive public transport bungle in any Metro. With over R1-billion already lost, it is an outrage that these buses are just standing here collecting dust and are rusting.

Minister Jeff Radebe recently launched Transport Month, which proposes that “together we move South Africa forward”. Apart from sounding a lot like the familiar ANC tagline, it is also ironic considering that in Nelson Mandela Bay no one is moving forward on public transport at all. Due to this failed IPTS project, ongoing Algoa Bus strikes and unroadworthy taxis, our people are simply left out on their own.

Furthermore, the peculiar blend of ANC taglines with government initiatives calls into question the ANC’s capacity to separate party from state.

Having made use of taxis to get here this morning, starting in Kwazakhele and ending in Markman, it is even more evident just how difficult it is for many of our residents to commute.

To provide a short-term IPTS solution, and to alleviate current transport issues in the Bay, the DA will table an urgent motion in NMB Council to immediately implement an utilisation strategy. This would see the IPTS buses used along main arterial routes between major urban nodes.

This motion has multi-pronged outcomes:

  • Utilisation of IPTS buses
  • Revenue from bus fares
  • Alleviates pressure caused by Algoa Bus strike

The proposed utilisation strategy is a means to ensuring that some benefit comes from the huge amount of money already spent on the IPTS. By connecting areas like Uitenhage, Despatch, Motherwell, KwaNobuhle and other outlying communities with PE Central, Nelson Mandela Bay could move so much closer to becoming the inclusive city we all know it can be.

In an inclusive city, communities should be connected and not forced to walk or use other expensive modes of transport.

In light of the ongoing Algoa Bus strike, the people of our Metro are in desperate need of an alternative solution. Our residents simply cannot go on suffering without adequate public transport.

It is understood that due to flagrant carelessness and mismanagement by the municipality, the IPTS buses are too large for the IPTS lanes on small urban roads. Thus, a long term solution for comprehensive roll-out will require careful analysis and project management.

DA governments in the George Local Municipality and the City of Cape Town have successfully implemented rapid bus transport systems that integrate with rail and taxi routes.

This was achieved by ensuring coordination between all relevant departments, implementing transparent tender processes and employing qualified and capable contractors. Under a DA government, Nelson Mandela Bay will be home to a fully functional IPTS that ensures affordable, safe and efficient transport.

A long-term solution will entail integration of all taxi and rail operators that will see major interchanges develop where residents can change between different modes of transport with ease.

The DA will also demand that all officials implicated in corruption to date are prosecuted and punished accordingly.

The DA is set on winning Nelson Mandela Bay at next year’s elections to deliver good governance, proper planning and so that foresight be the foundation on which this Metro is run.

It is time to start delivery, stop corruption and create jobs.

Regards

Athol Trollip

Athol Trollip
Dust collectors, not passengers!
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Port Elizabethan

This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.