DEAR Editor,-
With the ever-present increasing congestion of parking in Port Shepstone and the increase in parking fees of R2 per hour, the picture looks grim for a solution. There is another way!
One notices the phenomenal increase of resident pensioners along our beautiful coastline from Hibberdene to Port Edward. In addition, many retirement homes exist, catering for both active healthy folk and some for handicapped frail care people, who are growing in numbers as well. A major problem arises with pensioners who no longer drive a car. Sadly, I gave up mine up last year.
Pensioners cannot get to shops, doctors, dentists, hospitals or socialise outside our residential complexes. The solution lies with a municipal bus service for pensioners from Hibberdene to, for example, Bargain Wholesalers as one route, with daily pensioner buses departing at 8am, going to and from Port Shepstone and to the terminals opposite.
This would alleviate much of the present parking difficulty in Port Shepstone and provide more employment. The two opposite buses would leave for their last destination (Hibberdene or Bargain Wholesalers) at 4pm to avoid Port Shepstone rush hour traffic, reaching the final destination for the night. Approximately 8am would be the starting time at both terminals for the day.
Bear in mind pensioners have limited funds, so ticket prices should not be too high. Stopping off points along the routes could include a shopping mall, Port Shepstone or Southport, which has a pharmacy, library, electrician and grocery shop, etc. Future municipal bus services could commence from Port Shepstone to Shelly Beach, and/or to Margate. There could be a number of new routes incorporated, eventually.
Handicapped people with collapsible wheelchairs would be allowed and infirm people under the age of 60. Pensioners would be older than 60 and, depending on the bus capacity at the time empty routes could lower the age limit.
I have heard that a new community health centre opened near to Hibberdene recently, which would probably affect bus schedules for that area. This letter must remain flexible, because as much discussion is required from several quarters, the need for a pensioners’ bus service is paramount on this coast and is now long overdue!
MARGARET JOHNSON
Palm Haven
