AFTER years of delays the eThekwini Municipality announced recently that the GO! Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network is set to commence operations in December.

The project announced by the City is meant to improve the connectivity of the transport network through various corridors, including Pinetown, the Durban CBD and uMhlanga.

This year the City intends to launch its C3 Corridor linking Bridge City and Pinetown after an agreement between local taxi and bus industries and the municipality.

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However, questions remain about the C1 Corridor which includes construction work on Inanda Road and Sea Cow Lake Road.

The programme brought some improvements to Ward 34 with a widened road and the construction of Kenville Road bridge.

The chairperson of the Kenville and Sea Cow Lake Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association, Anil Beekrum, said they simply wanted to see the project up and running.

“What we would like to know is the timeline for when the project on Sea Cow Lake Road will be completed. That is the widening and finalising of bus routes. Businesses and residents have been impacted for years as the project has gone on and while this would be a good thing for regular commuters, we as residents just want to see it finished. Right now the cement bollards placed around the ‘bus lane’ are being used for advertising. The other problem we face is taxis and other vehicles are not following the rules of the road in terms of turning lanes and Stop signs.

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“During peak hour traffic there is a bottleneck under the Kenville Road bridge which could be alleviated once the GO!Durban buses start running. This is a major route into the CDB and Durban North. The frustration for residents and businesses is getting the cement bollards removed and the remaining construction work to be completed as quickly as possible. This has gone on for more than five years,” he said.

While no specific timelines were given for the C1 corridor, the City said it would be introduced in the first quarter of 2027.

“The City will procure 22 buses that will operate on the main GO!Durban route, while operators will procure the feeder transport through their Vehicle Operating Company (VOC). The remaining Phase One services — C1, C2, C9 and the Inner-City Distribution Service — will be introduced from the first quarter of 2027, further expanding the network and extending its reach across eThekwini,” said Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba last month.

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