POLOKWANE – As a step towards the realisation of a transformed and integrated public transport system, the Polokwane Municipality and Great North Transport (GNT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) during a signing ceremony that was held at Fusion Boutique Hotel on Tuesday.
The municipality started the process of engaging transport sector players in 2012, where it was established that the economic rights of minibus taxi and bus operators will be affected by the implementation of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport System (IRPTS).
The National Land Transport Act of 2009 (NLTA), Public Transport Strategy of 2007 and Action Plan clearly outlines the importance of engaging existing public transport operators affected by implementation of the system.
According to Polokwane Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, the signing of the MoA with GNT, as well as the one already concluded with the minibus taxi operators, will help in the market survey process for purposes of Phase 1a, 1 and 2 of the IRPTS.
Results of the market survey process will assist in determining the market share of the four affected minibus taxi operators and GNT as an affected bus operator. The results will further assist towards the formation of a Vehicle Operating Company (VOC), negotiated in terms of municipal procurement processes and as per provisions of the NLTA. She said Polokwane is one of the 13 medium cities that will take this step.
GNT chairperson of the board, Mantsitsi Maphutha, said: “The signing of the MoA between the two parties is a significant step towards development. We are indeed a transport entity that cares for our people and with this partnership we foresee improvement of public transport”.
Nkadimeng explained that the cooperation of both the minibus taxi operators and GNT in the market surveys is paramount as they are determinants of the success of the system.
Intergovernmental Relations Agreement (IGA) processes are already unfolding and a decision by the municipal council mandating her to undertake bilateral with the MECs responsible for economic development, environment and tourism, and transport, is awaited.
“The participation of GNT in the VOCs to be established will be subject to approval by the responsible MECsand the Municipal Council in terms of section 54 of the Public Finance Management Act and section 76 of the Municipal Systems Act,” Nkadimeng explained.
GNT’s entry into the structures established by the MoA entered into between the Polokwane Municipality and the affected minibus taxi operators will also take place once the decision by the Provincial Executive Council and Municipal Council is finalised, she added.
The municipality undertook a system-naming campaign in order to find a unique name for the system and a range of stakeholders took part in the campaign and gave their input. Upon consolidation of the suggested names that were received, the municipality currently has a shortlist of 15 possible names processed through the Names Committee which is in place. Besides industry transition processes, conclusion of the system naming is another IRPTS programme which the municipality is prioritising for finalisation.
Nkadimeng said she believes that the signing of the MoA with GNT will help the city to achieve the 2030 vision.
