The countdown begins

The anticipation was tangible when the first phase of the Leeto La Polokwane bus project went live in the city on 1 December.
Leeto La Polokwane is an implementation of government’s plan to upgrade the public transport network of 13 cities, which include Polokwane.
Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng said the project is aligned with the city’s vision of becoming a smart city by 2030.
In an event to launch phase 1 operations, held at the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex, Nkadimeng told members of the media that the road was not an easy one, citing the liquidation of one of the contractors as the main challenge in completing the project.
“It took almost six months to a year to resolve, but we are pleased to announce that the Leeto buses are now on the road.”
According to Nkadimeng, as part of developing a system that is relevant to Polokwane, the traditional Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) model evolved into what is referred to as an Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS).
“This adaptation comes from the lessons we have learnt from other cities and include a hybrid model that sees a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the municipality and the affected taxi associations such as Seshego, Westenburg and Flora Park,” she commented.
The announcement of phase 1A operations include three detailed stages leading up to the launch of the bus system in March 2021.
The first stage will be to train and equip bus operations staff.
The Vehicle Operating Company (VOC), Esilux, will ensure that drivers undergo product and route training, know how to operate the buses, how the Automatic Fare Collection system works as well as universal access elements.
The second stage is the dry-run period, which will take place in February 2021.
During this stage, the bus operations team will be testing the system’s functionality, technology and operations procedures.
No passengers will be ferried during this stage.
During the stage 3 trial operations that are scheduled for February 2021, systems will be tested with passengers on board, free cards will be distributed through various platforms and competitions for members of the public to test the system. This is a requirement by the National Department of Transport, which necessitates public transport systems to prepare for operational readiness to ensure optimal passenger safety and convenience.
The Financial Manager for Raw Industries, Baconi Mokoena, the company that manufactured the buses, says the vehicles are designed for accessibility and comfort for the whole community.
“The buses have universal access ramps for people with special needs.” These are automated by the press of a button: Urban traffic control measures that assist with enhancing the flow of traffic along the main bus corridors, CCTV camera surveillance that will assist in tracking the bus movement and that will be monitored from the control centre. This centre is built to ensure immediate response to incidents that may occur on the system.”
The bus also has a few safety features that include an automatic fare collection that is a cashless system that guarantees convenience and passenger safety.
“The buses are fitted with cameras that are displayed live to a screen by the driver. This means that at every point and time he will be in full view of the passengers,” Mokoena said. Although the passengers will be able to use the bus system in March, the cashless system will be dependent on a refillable card.
The municipality will issue out the cards at the Civic Centre and Library Gardens.
The first card is free and the second one will be charged at a set fee. To register for a card you will need your ID, driver’s licence or passport so that the card could be traced. Money will be loaded on the cards and each trip you take will be subtracted as you enter the bus.
Fees for the service have not been determined yet, but will not exceed current taxi fares as the municipality’s aim is not to make a proft, Acting Municipal Manager, Malose Lamola confirmed.