R297 million for the purchase of a new fleet of buses for GNT
The Premier, Chupu Mathabatha said the new fleet would ensure that the bus service continues to service commuters from all villages.
LIMPOPO – After months of irregular routes and often being transported in less than roadworthy buses, commuters of Great North Transport can now look forward to better days
The Premier, Chupu Mathabatha announced over the weekend that Provincial Government had allocated R297 million for the purchase of a new fleet of buses.
Mathabatha spoke at the funeral over the weekend, which was held for three of the six victims who recently passed away in an incident involving a bus from GNT.
The deceased were reportedly on their way to attend the ANC’s Provincial 109th birthday celebration.
Read more: Six die in bus accident in Limpopo
Five passengers and the driver lost their lives in the incident.
“We have been receiving complaints about the condition of the buses, and therefore decided to appropriate R297 million for the acquisition of a new fleet,” he said.
Recent months saw a series of protests by both commuters and drivers over the state, and the shortage of buses on some routes. Last July, bus drivers parked their buses in the main intersections of the city and thereafter abandoned the vehicles, in an illegal protest over the state of the buses.
After roadworthy buses were removed from the roads, commuters were left stranded. Many lamented the fact that they couldn’t afford alternative transport.
In October 2018, commuters took to the streets to protest over the state of the buses.
GNT Spokesperson, Patrick Monkoe, told BONUS that old buses that are roadworthy will still be used and that the new fleet will strategically service busier routes. “Management will allocate buses in terms of highly affected areas,” he said.
He said there are talks to bring in an additional 100 buses on a rental basis to complement the 75 new buses that have been budgeted for, in an effort to stabilise the services of GNT across the 10 depots.
“Great North Transport aims to provide essential commuter and passenger services to the working class and students within the framework of service delivery.”
He said the new fleet would ensure that the bus service continues to service commuters from all villages.
He confirmed that the new buses will be operational by the end of February.
