Johannesburg - The City of Polokwane has promised that the first phase of its R2.1 billion bus rapid transit (BRT) system will be operational by 2016.
Nelson Mandela Drive, which connects the city and Seshego, is being reconfigured to build dedicated lanes for the low-entry buses. The first phase would include the CBD and Seshego, the acting director of transportation, Nompumelelo Khumalo, said in a presentation on Wednesday.
The three other phases include villages near Seshego, other villages towards the Moletjie tribal authority offices and the Mankweng area.
The project is part of the national government’s integrated rapid public transport system.
Executive mayor Thembi Nkadimeng said negotiations between the city and the taxi industry had delayed the project by eight months.
Neither Nkadimeng nor Solomon Ledwaba, who represented the taxi industry at the presentation, would divulge the reasons for the stalemate.
The mayor and taxi representatives had met behind closed doors before the presentation. She was pleased with the discussions.
“The main beneficiaries will be our people, who will be able to commute with ease, speed and safely,” said Nkadimeng.
The two parties have agreed to a draft memorandum of agreement. Details of the draft were not divulged.
Ledwaba said previous disagreements were caused by a communication breakdown.
He denounced a recent strike by taxi drivers who protested against the BRT.
The entire BRT system was expected to be completed by 2020, said Nkadimeng.
Although BRT buses will operate along Thabo Mbeki, Marshall and Landdros Mare streets, there will be no dedicated lanes on those routes.
However, motorists will not be allowed along Church Street in the CBD. Nkadimeng said the street would be dedicated to the BRT buses.
The Star