By Sihle Mavuso
The ANC-run eThekwini municipality has sent 20 officials and 50 taxi owners to London to learn about the city’s stalled transport project.
This trip, funded by the eThekwini Transport Authority and led by Thami Manyathi, will cost around R6-million. On Sunday, the municipality sent a large delegation, including taxi owners from five metro regions, to the British capital.
The group is there to understand how a rapid public transport system works and to bring those insights back for the Go Durban project.
Go Durban is a multi-billion rand transport project that starts at Bridge City Mall in KwaMashu and runs to Pinetown through the Dumisani Makhaye Highway. It is similar to Johannesburg’s struggling Rea Vaya system.
The project has faced delays, and the municipality previously tried to open it before the 29 May elections but later abandoned that plan.
They also announced that some pick-up points would be used as art centres.
An insider who alerted Scrolla.Africa mentioned that the group includes the taxi owners who previously stalled the project, claiming it was taking over their routes.
Each delegate received an allowance to spend in London. The duration of their stay is unclear.
Questions sent to the municipality on Monday remain unanswered.
Themba Kubheka, the Greater North Taxi Council spokesperson, confirmed that 10 of its members are on the trip.
Similarly, Yusuf Khaliva, the chairperson of the Durban Taxi Association, confirmed that 10 association members are also part of the delegation.
Pictured above: The stalled Go Durban project in Durban.
Source: Sihle Mavuso
