DURBAN - The road ahead looks more promising for eThekwini’s Go! Durban public transport network.
The City has pencilled in December for the roll-out of the first stage of the delayed enterprise.
More than R9-billion has already been spent on the plan that missed its initial deadline in 2017.
“We are pleased that these overarching negotiation principles have now been addressed. This creates a clear pathway towards the formalisation of industry participation and the implementation of the first GO! Durban services," said eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba.
For opposition parties, the promises sound all too familiar.
They also question the R9-billion price tag.
“Not a single bus has been used on this corridor, and they have been setting a lot of different issues, but I think it boils down to accountability," said Zwakhele Mncwango, ActionSA KZN leader.
"I don’t know what the mayor can say that is different from what we’ve been hearing over years; more than 15 years we hear the same story about negotiations, plans and right now the people of eThekwini don’t need any reports they need buses.”
DA eThekwini councillor Melanie Brauteseth said the buses are there, but they aren’t on the road.
"We’ve got to draw a line and say enough. With the funding that you get, you’ve got to make it work, and you’ve got to get the buses on the road," she said.
"We haven’t earned 1cent from the R9-billion. eThekwini has not received 1 cent, but we are constantly paying out for buses.”
The first services are promised for December. But with the project having outlived three mayors, all eyes are on Xaba to see whether he can finally get the integrated public transport network off the ground, or if it will roll over to the next administration.
- eNCA's Nokwazi Qumbisa reports.