Bold pledge on fixing potholes around metro

Potholes will be fixed within 72 hours of being reported while road markings will be repainted within five days in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro. This is according to the municipality’s head of roads and transport, councillor Rano Kayser. He made the announcement at the launch of Transport Month at the Port Elizabeth City Hall yesterday. Since 2005, October has been observed nationally as Transport Month. “I stuck my neck out and promised that the municipality would attend to all pothole complaints within 24 hours of reporting and that repairs would be done within 48 to 72 hours,” he said. Faded road markings would be repainted within five days of being reported, Kayser said.

This month would be used to showcase the city’s transport infrastructure projects, promote the use of public transport and advance the city’s plan in improving transport. “The tarring of gravel roads has already begun in areas such as NU29, Motherwell and Joe Slovo, while the resurfacing of worn out roads is under way in areas like New Brighton and Kwazakhele. “Blocked catchpits and stormwater reticulation are being attended to and cleared within 48 hours,” he said. Switching gears to the long-awaited Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS), Kayser said when the new political leadership took over after the local government elections, it had a close look at reviewing the programme. More emphasis was needed on a safe, reliable, smart, affordable integrated transport service, he said. “Our preparations are at a final stage. We are ready. “We have made presentation to the national Treasury for funding and we hope to roll out the IPTS programme in April next year, on condition that the treasury favour our presentation.”