By Celani Sikhakhane
eThekwini has spent billions of rand on the Go! Durban bus project, which has been repeatedly delayed after being rejected by the taxi industry.
KZN opposition parties claim taxpayers are funding the R22-billion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system announced in 2013 that has yet to become operational.
Other major South African cities, such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, have BRT systems that have been running for years.
ActionSA councillor Zwakele Mncwango says the project costs about R5-million a month for security and maintenance.
“The city has spent over R10-billion on this project. We have 10 stations that are now white elephants. We’re spending R3-million on maintaining those stations and about R2-million on security,” Mncwango said.
The project has seen three mayors try to get it launched, each with different approaches to resolving the issues.
Go! Durban was built to decrease congestion between KwaMashu and Pinetown. Taxi owners, however, rejected it because they believe they will lose business.
Sifiso Shangase, KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson for the South African National Taxi Council, said their study tours in Brazil and Colombia showed the project would harm the taxi business.
The eThekwini Transport Authority rejected ActionSA’s claims, saying the project is nearly complete and will launch next year.
They defended maintenance and security funding as necessary to protect the investment.
Officials also clarified on SABC news that the city plans to own its fleet to avoid disruptions from service provider strikes.
Pictured above: The R22-billion Go! Durban project has never got off the ground.
Source: X
