ETA hosts SALGA National Working Group
The City's eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) hosted a delegation from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA): National Working Group on Monday, 2 November.
The National Working Group comprises of Councillors from across 9 (nine) Provinces and deliberates on matters related to roads and transport functions that fall within the mandate of municipalities.
The purpose of the visit was to engage the ETA on the progress of the implementation of the Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN), including knowledge sharing and exchanges of lessons learnt that informs municipal transport planning and operations in Durban’s context specifically.
Additionally, the visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between SALGA and the City on the improvement of public transport systems, infrastructure development, the integration of various transport modes and to enhance accessibility and mobility within the City.
ETA Acting Director Nelisiwe Zama emphasized the importance of progressive and responsive public transport. “It is crucial that we create a public transport system that places people at the centre of transport. GO!Durban is eThekwini's Integrated Public Transport, not just a bus, and is a transformative tool for unlocking economic and social growth and development for the City.”
The session included a presentation on the NEW Revised GO!Durban Implementation Strategy aimed at fast-tracking the phase one routes of the IPTN. Thereafter, the delegation was taken on a site tour of the GO!Durban corridors, stations, stops and systems to see and learn how the GO!Durban service will operate.
SALGA’s Transport Specialist Thixounathi Mntonintshi said, “We are excited that recently there has been a lot of progress. The City is clear about the different corridors and service types it wants to implement. SALGA is committed to assisting and collaborating with the City regarding the implementation of GO!Durban, but also the broader transformation of public transport within the eThekwini region.”
As part of the engagement, the National Working Group identified best practices that are being replicated in other municipalities, the support to transport projects in relation to institutional and funding arrangements and the promotion of knowledge sharing on challenges and success factors in the rollout of transport initiatives.
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