-
Taxis seen at a rank in KwaZulu-Natal.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in Durban has expressed frustration with the eThekwini Municipality’s handling of the multi-billion-rand GO! Durban transport project.
The aim of the initiative is to use modes of transport including buses, rail and taxis to link nine corridors. The project which costs R9 billion was meant to be completed in 2017 and start operating in 2018.
However, it has been dormant for eight years.
“The dates are not in line, the principles that we agreed upon and we signed with the city have been ignored. A new programme altogether is being pursued. In this instance, we have national government having different directions and positions on the programme as well as local government. And we are the victims here. In fact, not only the industry, but even the community at large and the passengers who have seen a model by eye, which is very promising but hasn’t bore fruits. That is the biggest frustration,” says Santaco Chairperson, Mathula Mkhize.
Mkhize also says delays in completing the project have resulted in the loss of critical routes.
“We’ve lost many routes and bus stops. Understanding that if we agree to them being developed and participate and cooperate with the city, we should be getting compensation as agreed. And we’ve lost those routes, we’ve lost cars, some people have passed on because of frustration and no one cares,” says Mkhize.
VIDEO | Challenges in the GO!Durban project:
