GEORGE NEWS - The George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) has received a resounding "yes" from residents.
When the GIPTN security cameras were erected last year and the upgrading of the taxi rank first began, residents realised that something was happening on the streets of George.
However, the biggest stimulus for interest in the project occurred at the beginning of May when sign boards identifying the proposed bus stops were put up on the pavements. This provided a degree of clarity surrounding the actual proposed bus routes in the suburbs.
The GIPTN is a pilot project funded by National Treasury and the forerunner for a national public transport system.
There is an air of anticipation with most people enthusiastically supporting the coming bus service.
Other role players in the project are the bus and taxi industries who were all invited to register their expression of interest some time ago. These parties will have to reach an agreement soon as they will form an integral part of the overall project.
Meanwhile, the elected leadership of the largest local taxi association, Uncedo Service Taxi Association, has changed. The new chairman is Zanemula Ngcathu and details of the other top four positions will be finalised soon.
However, Uncedo confirmed that there would be no change in their negotiating team.
An official in the GIPTN office confirmed that the negotiations with all the role players in the industry are continuing. "We reserve our comment as we do not want to jeopardise the valuable strides that have been made to date."
Harold Basson, director of technical services at the municipality conceded that there have been teething problems with the website. "The George Municipality sincerely apologises for the delay in getting it up and running. The website,
www.giptn.co.za, is now live."
