EDITOR – A few months ago eThekwini Municipality asked the public for suggestions on a model its public transport system could use to better its service.
I wrote back to them noting that a perfect model, one that Anglo Mining’s Clem Sunter once called ‘an economic miracle’, was running right in front of them: the combi taxi system that scoots in, around and between public transport buses, almost always full. They charge slightly more, back up and turn into side streets to pick up passengers. There’s your model, I said, just ask your drivers to ignore ‘bus stops’ and pick up passengers where they are standing. This slightly more expensive model is hugely preferred by the general public.
I was gobsmacked when within three weeks municipal buses began stopping for me, a practice that carried on for about three months!
About three weeks ago, this practice stopped and I now see two or three empty municipal buses parked at the Umbilo terminus when I arrive there by taxi. All of them had refused to stop for me.
Public transport bosses, here’s another bullet – now shoot yourselves in the other foot.
Tom Dennen
Durban
