The DA in Ekurhuleni raised its concern during the recent council meeting regarding the lack of progress of the much vaunted public integrated transport system.<\/p>\n
The Bus Rapid Transport buses, \u201cHarambee\u201d, have still not taken to the road, after several launch deadlines were missed.<\/p>
\u201cThe metro has no fare policy in place, and has spent the past three years trying to formulate and introduce the required fare policy structure,\u201d said Clr Bill Rundle, DA shadow MMC for transport planning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main reasons for the delay have been the lack of adequate public consultation, stalled loan finance processes for the manufacture and supply of the specialised buses, as well as the failure to finalise the automatic fare ticketing systems equipment supplier contract.\u201d<\/p>
Rundle added that the metro eventually got it all together and in November, 2016 brought the item to the oversight committee of the transport planning portfolio for review and approval.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe DA rejected the policy document due to the lack of supporting information and the very inadequate and flawed public consultation process.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the item was approved by the portfolio committee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe item was presented to council in November 2016 for ratification but was referred back to the oversight committee by the speaker of council after representation by the DA, supported by other minority parties, for outstanding information to be provided,\u201d said Rundle.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce again the committee forced the item through, and at the council meeting nearly three months later, it was again presented to council.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe item was passed. The DA and other smaller parties voted against it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concern over the fares, lack of public consultation, failure to achieve total buy-in from the public transport operators, namely, taxis and buses, have still not been addressed adequately.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very volatile industry; it becomes high risk when the role players, namely public transport operators\u2019 buses and taxis, become embroiled in conflict over routes and facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe DA will remain vigilant to ensure that it will not degenerate into this when buses finally take to the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
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