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11

September

2013

FAQ

What is the IRPTN or GO!Durban?

GO!Durban is eThekwini’s very own Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network. This project will provide a sustainable, integrated transport system for the people of Durban. GO!Durban’s objective is to implement a world-class network of rail, road and non-motorised transport systems that provide commuters with efficient and economical public transport options.

Why do we need the GO!Durban?

Whether you’re planning your weekend or getting to work, it is important that you and all Durban commuters have a reliable, safe and organised transport service. GO!Durban will provide citizens with easier access to work, school and healthcare facilities -adding to the quality of life they experience in the city. The system will ultimately establish Durban as a world-class city and give many citizens access to new opportunities for development and growth.

What are the benefits of GO!Durban?

GO!Durban will provide passengers with an efficient, frequent and reliable public transport service. Benefits of GO!Durban include seamless transport, reduced travel times, affordable fares, upgraded safety and security through the presence of extensive security personnel and CCTV, easy transfers between routes and the use of convenient smart cards to pay for journeys.

What is the role of the Provincial Government?

All three spheres of government (national, provincial and local) are collaborating to roll out the GO!Durban project. National government is providing policy support and funding, provincial government supports the management of the project and local government is responsible for planning and implementing the system.

Who will be funding the GO!Durban?

The funding is allocated from the National Treasury under the Department of Transport.

Infrastructure/construction

What if cars and taxis make use of the dedicated bus lanes / right of ways?

There will be a relatively high level of paving which will be constructed on either side of the trunk routes. In addition, these trunk corridors will be monitored at a control centre and in the event that another vehicle does enter the trunk route, metro police will be deployed to apprehend the vehicle.

What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-quality bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable and cost-effective urban mobility through the provision of segregated right-of-way infrastructure, rapid and frequent operations and excellence in marketing and customer service.

What is a corridor?

A corridor is a route along a specific area that has precincts, bus stations, and trunks as well as feeder services.

What is the difference between trunk and feeder services?

Trunk services use high capacity vehicles, exclusive bus ways and will have enclosed stations. The feeder services will run on normal streets, use smaller vehicles and provide connections between communities and the trunk stations/precincts.

I don’t live on or near a corridor – how do I get to the corridor?

Commuters will be able to access the corridors via the feeder and complementary services provided.

What is the distance I will need to walk to the closest service?

Distances vary according to the geographical location.

When is the full system expected to be completed?

The first corridor of phase one is expected to be operational by 2016 and the entire system inclusive of phase one and phase two is estimated to be completed by 2027.

How will construction affect me?

As with all projects of this size, there will be some disruption due to the construction.

Will Road Closures be communicated timeously? How far in advance will we be notified of road closures?

Yes, road closures will be communicated in advance to affected stakeholders. Communication will take place via community newspapers, radio, website and social media.

Has a Traffic Management plan been put in place to ensure minimal disruptions?

Yes, a fully-fledged Traffic Management plan controlled by a Traffic Management Centre has been designed and implemented.

How were the routes and phases chosen?

The routes were chosen based on extensive research and densification data based on highest commuter areas.

How is non-motorised transport featured in this new system?

Non-motorised transport is a key element of the entire system. There will be dedicated bicycle lanes and pedestrian areas as well as inner city rejuvenation to make NMT more accessible to the citizens of Durban.

How is this transport system more sustainable and environmentally friendly?

The GO!Durban project is aligned with international carbon emission footprint standards and controls.

What opportunities exist for private sector business to be involved?

Due to the enormity and complexity of the project, there are many opportunities for the private sector to be involved in the project including investments and partnership opportunities in the new system. These opportunities will be communicated through a series of engagements. Please also refer to the GO!Durban website for any updates on this matter.

What will the city do to promote use of the new system?

The city will undertake several marketing and promotional campaigns to engage, inform and promote GO!Durban.

Is there a stakeholder engagement plan and process in place?

Yes, a thorough stakeholder engagement plan has been developed and will be implemented throughout the duration of the project. Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management are critical services which will be provided to the project to ensure all stakeholders are engaged.

What will happen to the taxi industry? Will there be taxis on the roads?

The Taxi Leadership has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the city leaders to participate in the GO!Durban project.

How will the GO!Durban project affect the current rail services?

GO!Durban is working closely with PRASA to maximise the current system and embrace the planned rail upgrades. This priority rail plan includes new and refurbished coaches, station upgrades, improved signaling and security enhancements.

ITS/ Integrated Fare Management System

How will the integrated ticketing work? Which modes will be integrated with the system?

The smart card is like a travel debit card. Money is loaded onto your personal card and the fare is deducted when the card is validated before travelling. The smartcard means that no money will be used when travelling. Passengers will use smart cards to pay for their journeys. The trunk and feeder services will be integrated, using the same card for both services.

Will fares be cheaper than the current trains, buses and taxis?

The fares will be comparable with existing bus and minibus taxi fares. Passengers will be able to purchase smart cards that are validated as they enter the stations on trunk routes.

Will there be cameras on the new transport system and at the stations to monitor the safety and security of users?

All stations will be continually monitored by multiple CCTV cameras, which will be overseen at the system’s central control centre. There will also be CCTV cameras within the vehicles themselves.

How will I be able to find my way in and around a station or know which bus to take to my destination?

There will be way-finding / directional signage for commuters which are also universally accessible. These way findings will detail the various routes, stations and are in line with international standards.

 

Will there be signals / signs to let me know if my bus is running late?

Yes, the relevant signalling will inform the commuter of any delays including the expected time of the delay and / or arrival of the next bus.

When I am on the bus, will there be a voice over or signage to let me know that I have reached my destination?

Yes, commuters will be informed of every station at which the bus arrives.

Muvo Card

Why does my Muvo card expire?

Muvo cards are bank issued cards and like any bank card it has an expiry date.

 

Will my card work on the bus after the expiry date?

No.  The card will not work on the bus.

 

Will I be able to load trips on my card after the expiry date?

No.  Trips cannot be loaded on an expired card.

 

What happens to my trips when my card expires?

Although your card expires, the card balance on your expired card can be transferred to your new card.

 

Are the trips transferred immediately or will I have to wait?

If you swop your card before the expiry date, the balance of trips from your expired card will be transferred to your new card IMMEDIATELY.

If you swop your card after the expiry date, the balance of your trips from your expired card will be transferred within 7 working days.  You will need to pay cash to travel during this period.

 

Will I be charged to replace my expiring card?

No, you won’t be charged until 30 June 2021. Thereafter you will be charged the R20 card fee.

 

My expired card does not have any trips, do I qualify for a new card?

Yes, you do qualify for a new card, but you will need to load a minimum of 10 trips.

 

Operations work-stream

How does the bus industry fit into GO!Durban?

A Memorandum of Agreement is currently being drafted for the inclusion of Bus Operators into the GO!Durban project.

Safety and security

Will there be increased safety on public transport?

Yes, security and safety is a major component of the GO!Durban project and state-of-the-art technology as well as trained personnel will be monitoring the system at all times.

What if there is an accident on the corridor how long will it take before the accident / incident is cleared?

Response times will be in line with internationally acceptable standards and procedures. These corridors are monitored by a Traffic Management Centre to ensure the effective and efficient management of any incidents along the route.

Universal Access

Will the system have Universal Access?

The IRPTN system will be compliant with international standards for Universal access. This includes signage, ease of access, travel comfort and other considerations to make travelling easier for from temporary disabilities or injuries, to parents with prams, the elderly, visually impaired and the young.

What constitutes as special needs passengers?

The elderly, pregnant women, mothers with prams and children, shopping bags, people with disabilities including, the visually and hearing and physically impaired. GO!Durban is compliant with international universal access criteria and standard.

Skills development

What skills are required for GO!Durban?

The skills development workstream is currently conducting a thorough skills audit to identify the scare and critical skills required for the project.

Is there an internship programme I can get involved in with GO!Durban?

There will be several internships identified and these will be communicated via the GO!Durban website .

How will I know when job opportunities become available?

Please refer to the GO!Durban website as well as being adverts in various local and national newspapers.

Where can I apply for a job? Is there a local centre where I can go to upload my CV and information?

When the skills audit has been completed, and critical vacancies identified, adverts will be posted in local and national newspapers, applicants will be able to identify their areas of interest and they will be able to either apply on line or will be notified of a suitable location and/or centre for applications.