DA opposes transport fare increases

THE Democratic Alliance in eThekwini have abstained from voting in support of fare increases of 9.4 per cent in the Economic Development Committee today.

Dean Macpherson DA eThekwini finance spokesman said the DA believed that it would be impossible to support such a fee increase when Durban Transport and its management company, Transnat, are in such disarray. Just in December 2013, Durban Transport buses ran out of diesel because Transnat could not afford the fuel bill, stranding thousands of commuters across Durban.

According to Macpherson, it has also been revealed that Transnat owes SARS millions of Rands in unpaid tax which begs the question as to how long the bus service can continue. In a report to the committee, the cost structure of Durban Transport revealed that Transnat paid R4 291 757.68 to consultants, however it is not revealed what these consultants actually did for the company.

“The Democratic Alliance is deeply concerned about the perilous state of the public transport at the moment. The ANC led municipality has overseen the wholesale destruction of a once successful transport system when it first awarded the running of Durban Transport to Remnant Alton, owned by Jay Singh. During Remnant Alton’s time at the wheel, the bus system was bankrupted twice and in the end Jay Singh profited to the tune of R350 million when he sold it back to the municipality.

“The Democratic Alliance cannot, and will not, allow the commuters and workers of Durban to shoulder the burden of poor management by Transnat and by an ANC government who treats comrades with kid gloves,” said Macpherson.