Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Community Safety tells department to do proper consultation and feasibility study before re-launching Re a Kgona
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works , Roads, Transport and Community Safety held a meeting with the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management over the launch of new Re a Kgona Bus Services operating on taxi routes of Mahikeng Taxi Association and scholar transport challenges in the Moretele area in Bojanala and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district municipality.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Dibetso-Nyathi said the department should conduct a proper project profiling on Re a Kgona Bus Services about the intended project.
“Proper transport and road network and management strategies that involves all stakeholders such as commuter forums; target market (public servants); taxi drivers and owners should be developed. There should also be a signed and legal memorandum of understanding between the department and stakeholders.
“We must also involve the local and district municipalities who deal with public transport infrastructure to further integrate their plans within the departmental plans,” said Hon. Dibetso-Nyathi.
MEC for the department, Gaoagwe Molapisi said the department should’ve gone beyond stakeholder analysis on the industry after the EXCO pronouncement and developed a visible feasibility study which includes inputs from all the relevant stakeholders.
“We acknowledge that lack of proper analysis and communication with the affected stakeholders created these unnecessary conflicts during the launch of the project. Atamelang Bus Services was meant to serve as a shuttle services for public servants so that we can reduce traffic congestion in Mahikeng as part of Mahikeng Rebranding, Renewal and Repositioning programme.
“The cost of the service per month which depends on kilometers travelled was estimated at R7 011 858.63,” said MEC Molapisi.
He said after the conflicts on the launch, government resolved to halt the project and establish a working committee comprising of all Mahikeng taxi associations, local, regional and provincial taxi councils and the stakeholders.
“The committee meets regularly to address all the concerns raised during the protests. A proposal also been received from Atamelang Bus Services as part of taxi industry empowerment. The department is also empowering taxi drivers on driving enhancement and road safety skills,” said MEC Molapisi.
Hon. Dibetso-Nyathi said the department must provide a report on the feasibility study and project profiling within 14 working days.
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