Teams to tackle IPTS woes

MEC promises steps to get metros’ transport systems moving

TRANSPORT MEC Weziwe Tikana will soon establish task teams to speedily resolve problems facing the introduction of integrated public transport systems (IPTS) in the two provincial metros.

Tikana this week said her department would do its utmost to realise the dream of a working public transport system in both Nelson Mandela Bay metros (NMBM) and the Buffalo City (BCM).

Tabling her policy speech at the Bhisho legislature this week, Tikana said the province was experiencing challenges with the implementation of the IPTS in these two metros.

However, her office “undertakes, in 2015 and 2016, to establish intergovernmental task teams to speedily resolve challenges faced by the two metros”.

In Nelson Mandela Bay, the introduction of the original R336-million BRT system seven years ago stalled after concerns were raised by other transport stakeholders, including taxi operators who threatened to render the Bay ungovernable if the project went ahead.

The bus rapid transit (BRT) system in BCM has stalled for years as a result of court action over the awarding in 2011 of a R70-million tender to business consortium Goba-SSI-ALG.

Another consortium, BKS, which put in a R54-million tender bid, challenged the awarding of the contract in the Grahamstown High Court. Last year, the court ordered the metro to reverse the awarding of the R70-million contract to Goba, and instead awarded it to losing bidder BKS.