Implementation of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network gets underway with a R240million boost to acquire new buses and upgrade the bus depots.

THE EThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) kick-started the implementation of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) with a R240 million boost to acquire new buses and upgrade the bus depots around the Municipality.

The ETA will be taking delivery of 124 new buses from December 2011 to April 2012. The buses will replace the current buses that do not cater for people with disabilities.

“This is part of our objective as the ETA to promote transport that is universally accessible to all of Durban’s citizens,” said ETA Head Thami Manyathi.

The new buses will be allocated to the central, northern and southern bus routes.

Commuters will start to notice other small improvements in the bus service too. Notices reserving seats for the elderly, infirm and pregnant passengers will be displayed in some Durban Transport buses.

The ETA is also spending R58, 5m on upgrading its four bus depots in Umlazi, Ntuzuma, Rossburgh and KwaMashu.

“The ETA wants to ensure that bus drivers have a professional working environment which they can be proud of,” Manyathi said.

“We also want to ensure that the bus depots reflect the improvements being made to public transport overall with the implementation of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN).”

The IRPTN, an initiative being driven by the National Department of Transport, will see nine transport corridors linked by various modes of transport across eThekwini by 2020.

The ETA took the first step towards the implementation of the IRPTN in October with the launch of its public transport smartcard, the “Muvo” card.

From the middle of 2012 the Muvo card will be used on Durban Transport and People Mover buses instead of the current paper bus coupon.

As the IRPTN is phased in, the smartcard will eventually be usable on all modes of public transport, including trains. The IRPTN is intended to make eThekwini Africa’s most liveable and caring city by the year 2020.

Source: www.durban.gov.za