Delays in bus rank project cause confusion
The plan was to overhaul the existing bus rank - at a cost of R10-million - by the end of January 2019.
Delays in the construction of the long-awaited Port Shepstone Intermodal Facility have left commuters and traders baffled over the state of the Port Shepstone bus rank which was meant to be converted into a temporary taxi rank.
The plan was to overhaul the existing bus rank – at a cost of R10-million – by the end of January 2019.
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However, apparently due to ‘technicalities’, the contractor has left the site.
Fears among traders and bus commuters are that the facility has been left to deteriorate to such an extent it could pose a health risk to users.
Complaints include the grass not being cut, high mast lights not working, litter not picked up on a daily basis and potholes which are growing daily.
“Our main concern is the sewage spill which has not been fixed for several months,” said one irate trader.
In October last year, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) announced that buses, traders and commuters were being moved to the Chris Hani Square parking lot to make way for phase one of the project.
However, when the contractor left, buses went back to using the existing bus rank because commuters had complained about being picked up from Chris Hani Square.
According to commuters, there was no shade, no waiting areas and construction had not started, prompting them to move back to the existing rank.
Now traders are pleading with the municipality to spruce up the rank and shops.
“We are not fighting with the municipality. We understand there will be improvements in due course. All we want is for the rank to be cleaned,” the trader pointed out.
He added that on several occasions he had seen elderly people falling into holes filled with filthy water.
“The stench in this place is unbearable, we survive because we are here to work for our children and we have no choice,” another trader said.
HCM spokesman Simon April said the existing bus rank was still regarded as a construction site by the municipality.
“Unfortunately due some technicalities the contractor has stopped working but it is envisaged that the work will commence soon – probably by March.”
According to Mr April traders and commuters returned to the bus rank on their own initiative, without the consent of the municipality.
“It’s therefore not an official return,” he said.
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