October
2018
Monday, 29 October 2018 marked a watershed moment for public transport in the eThekwini Municipality (ETM), as the City’s mini-bus taxi incentive programme “Moja Cruise”, a first for the country, went “live” with a parade of 150 branded taxis through the CBD.
October
2018
Introducing the completed Mount Edgecombe block interchange that will be ushering in better flowing traffic. It will also support economic development in the northern part of the city and make traveling in and around the area much more easier.
October
2018Monday, 29 October marked a watershed moment for public transport in the eThekwini Municipality (ETM), as the City’s mini-bus taxi incentive programme “Moja Cruise”, a first for the country, went “live” with a parade of 150 branded taxis through the CBD.
As part of the transformation of public transport, the Municipality started the construction of road infrastructure in its efforts to integrate public transport into a network of eight bus rapid transit lanes and a rail route across the City in its GO!Durban programme. As part of this programme, and prior to beginning construction in 2013, the City leadership, since 2009, has been engaging with the leadership of the mini-bus taxi and bus industry in an endeavour to bring these current public transport operators into a cohesive operation to provide safe, efficient and reliable transport for all. The aim has always been to ensure that they continue to have a stake in public transport into its transformation.
The Ethekwini Metro Taxi Council (EMTC), the leadership body of the mini-bus taxi industry, and the City have collaborated to develop this innovative pilot programme to “test the waters” for improved public transport system. The programme branded “Moja Cruise” was launched in October 2017, and the various stakeholders have been planning and preparing for the “go live” date this month.
Essentially the pilot programme includes 500 mini-bus taxis that will be branded as “Moja Cruise” taxis, with 150 taxis already enrolled in the programme. These taxis will adhere to certain criteria to offer a clean, safe, efficient, customer-oriented service to the public. The vehicles will be monitored to ensure that these criteria are met in order to qualify for the financial incentive.
Speaking at the “go live” launch, which was attended by the leadership of the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council and participants of the programme, the EXCO member and Chairperson for the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Mondli Mthembu said that the aim of the programme was to proactively empower the mini-bus taxi industry at all levels, to progress their businesses, and to support the development of the industry towards a more formal and scheduled service structure aimed at providing better levels of services and safety to commuters and improving overall public transport in the City.
Commenting on the EMTC’s collaboration with the city, the Chairperson of the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council, Mr B M Nzuza said, “Being experienced public transport operators, we understand and acknowledge the need for a more customer-orientated service that meets the needs of the commuters. By working in collaboration with the eThekwini Municipality, we have been able to offer our expertise and understanding in a consultative and collaborative process, to find positive and workable solutions to the challenges that we face as businesses, and they face as government. We all look forward to seeing the programme work, and to an improved service and business model for our constituents.”
Giving a keynote address, eThekwini Mayor, Cllr Zandile Gumede congratulated eThekwini Officials and the EMTC, affirming the City’s vision of “Durban being the most caring and liveable City by 2030”. “It goes without saying that accountability and compliance in terms of moving forward with public transport is vital, however an improved customer-focused service means better business and stimulation for the economy. As government, the more we can drive the economy forward to create opportunities, the better it is for the citizens of this country.”
Affirming the bold move by the City and the EMTC, Cllr Zandile Gumede said, “National Government DOT and KZNDOT will be monitoring the progress of this innovative programme to bring the mini-bus taxi sector into the fold, and we have great hopes that it will significantly shift the current public transport offerings to our citizens, and act as a model that could be rolled out around the country.”
The pilot programme will run for six-months and will include 500 vehicles. The 150 taxis involved in today’s parade have already been enrolled in the programme. The number of taxis will increase to 6000 once the pilot is assessed and Council approves the full adoption of the programme.
The fees for trips in the taxis, will not differ from that of non-branded taxis, and they will continue to operate in their licensed routes as per usual.
Commuters will eventually be able to rate their trips in a Moja Cruise taxi as part of the overall offering to ensure that the relevant criteria are met by the taxi owner and the driver.
October
2018
Businesses, residents, motorists and commuters in Durban’s central CBD are to be mindful that Dr Pixley KaSeme Street (formerly West) will be closed to traffic from Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street (formerly Grey) where the N3 intersects, up to Samora Machel Street (formerly Aliwal) at the City Hall on Monday, 29 October from 8:30am to 09:30 . Thereafter, limited lanes on Dr Pixley Kaseme Street outside the City Hall will be available from 09:30 to 11:30.
The closure is to enable a parade of 150 Mini-Bus Taxis through the central CBD to the City Hall, to mark the beginning of the City’s public transport transformation.
Last year in October the Ethekwini Municipality launched its Taxi Incentive Scheme, named Moja Cruise, an innovative programme aimed at uplifting the Mini-Bus Taxi Industry and improving their business operations.
The scheme was designed in collaboration with the Ethekwini Management Taxi Council (EMTC) – the official partner of the programme, and includes, improved customer care, assures roadworthy vehicles and promotes better driving.
Whilst the parade is taking place, Metro police will indicate alternate routes for motorists, however, citizens should also be mindful of a longer commute time on the roads that the vehicles will travel on to get to Dr Pixley KaSeme Street. The route the vehicles will take to the start of the parade is from the ICC into Bram Fischer Road, left into Soldier’s Way, then right into Monty Naicker and left into Yusuf Dadoo and left into Dr Pixley KaSeme Street.
October
2018
As construction of another dedicated bus lane for the GO!Durban integrated public transport network starts this month (October 2018) on the M21 from the intersection with the MR577 in Newlands to Springfield Park, businesses, residents and schools are asked to take note of the areas under construction, and any traffic accommodation and deviations that may come into effect as a result.
This route, called Corridor 1 (C1) is part of the overall network that eThekwini Municipality is rolling out over a number of years to improve public transport for all. At present the first route, called C3, is nearing completion from Pinetown to Bridge City via the MR577 and this C1 route will eventually connect the MR577 to the CBD via Springfield Park. The C1 construction will be divided into two phases: C1A from the MR577 to Springfield and C1B from Springfield to the CBD. Construction will only begin this month on the C1A section, as is expected to take 24 months.
“We are asking people who live, work and visit this area to be mindful of the construction for their own safety and the safety of those working on the roads,” says Thami Manyathi, Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority. “Of course, we know that any construction on an existing roadway creates delays, and is often inconvenient and frustrating for those who use the roads, and live or work alongside. We ask for people’s patience, and understanding as we strive to improve public transport for all, and ultimately upgrade the existing roadway, which will undoubtedly have positive outcomes for all living and working here. We recommend that during this construction phase that people make plans to start their journey earlier, and to possibly look at alternate routes. We also recommend that all valuables are kept out of sight of opportunistic criminals, who often take advantage of the slow moving traffic to target unsuspecting commuters.”
Members of the public using the M21 between the MR577 and Springfield Park are advised that traffic will be slower than usual, roadways will be narrowed to allow for construction, and to be mindful that there are heavy construction vehicles in operation.
The eThekwini Transport Authority has already been engaging with affected wards to explain the plans, and will host two further community engagements. These take place on Sunday, 21 October from 2 to 4pm at the David Landau Hall, Asherville for Ward 25 and on Monday, 22 October from 10am to 12 noon at the Greenwood Park Hall, 726 Chris Hani Road, Greenwood Park for Ward 34.
For more information or to keep up to date on construction and road deviation/ accommodation plans go to godurban.local:8890 or follow us on Twitter/ Facebook and Instagram.
October
2018Construction to upgrade and expand the M13 and Essex Terrace interchange in Ward 30 in Westville will begin in October this year.
According to the eThekwini Transport Authority, traffic on this interchange has increased significantly due to new developments (residential, office and shopping) that have taken place and other future developments that will take place in this area. In order to support a more fluid and efficient traffic flow through this area, the bridge on the M13 over Lincoln Terrace will be extended on both east and west bound carriageways. The on and off ramps will also be upgraded, extended and realigned to accommodate current and expected increase in traffic.
Devon Terrace, Lincoln Terrace, Latina Place, and Essex Terrace will also be realigned and form part of this construction contract.
Traffic accommodation plans will be in place in order to minimize the inconvenience to those using the roads in the area, and some deviations are expected.
“We ask that people who live, work and visit this area be mindful of the construction for their own safety and the safety of those working on the roads,” says Thami Manyathi, Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority. “We ask for people’s patience, and understanding as we strive to improve our road infrastructure.”
The ETA advises that commuter/ drivers using these routes start their journeys earlier, and to look at alternate routes. Notifications of deviations will be posted on the GO!Durban and eThekwini Municipality Twitter and Facebook accounts.
A community engagement to explain and outline the construction plans will take place at the Truro Hall, Meerut Road in Westville on Tuesday, 16 October at 7pm. All are welcome.
Construction is expected to take around 20 months.
