Mayor gives Leeto La Polokwane bus station update
Originally budgeted at over R28m from the 2022/23 allocation, the project, managed by a secondary contractor, faced numerous setbacks and was initially scheduled for completion in December 2021.
POLOKWANE –Â Mayor John Mpe provided an update on the Leeto La Polokwane bus station municipal project, located at the intersection of Genl Joubert and Thabo Mbeki streets, noting that approximately 2% of the construction remained incomplete as of last Tuesday.
Mpe, along with Deputy Transport Minister Lisa Mangcu and Transport MEC Florence Radzilani visited the site to discuss enhancements to public transportation, as confirmed by municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala.
This site visit followed Mpe’s participation in the inaugural policy conference of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).
At this conference, stakeholders discussed policy frameworks aimed at improving the efficiency, affordability, and sustainability of public transportation technology for users, drivers, and service providers in Polokwane and beyond, according to Santaco spokesperson Rebecca Phala.
The conference concluded at Bolivia Lodge last Thursday.
Regarding the city’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system bus station, Selala highlighted that remaining tasks include the installation of a fence, among other items, as mentioned in a post-media statement.
However, the spokesperson did not immediately disclose the reasons for the project’s delay. In June last year, when the project was reported to be 70% complete, Mpe expressed his intention to pursue legal action against the service provider if construction was not finalised within six weeks, pending an assessment by the project manager to determine if the delays were deliberate.
Read more: Construction of Leeto la Polokwane bus station at 79% complete
Originally budgeted at over R28m from the 2022/23 allocation, the project, managed by a secondary contractor, faced numerous setbacks and was initially scheduled for completion in December 2021.
Slow progress during the project’s first six months was attributed to adverse weather conditions, according to the then-municipal public transport regulation and monitoring manager, David Ramakgwakgwa, necessitating an extension to December 2022.
Selala emphasised that the municipality views the completion of the project not merely as the end of construction but as a step towards improving transit for the residents and visitors of Polokwane.
