cities

Go!Durban will include new railways and a non-motorised transport network (cycling routes and walkways),
which will drastically reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Stations will be areas of mixed-use
developments (retail, businesses and residential) and will be supported by a non-motorised transport system,
including cycling lanes and walkways. Go!Durban involves all modes of transport working together, as part of
an integrated network, and along routes where they are best suited. For example, minibus taxis will provide
contracted feeder services from the main road to bus and rail routes.
The Go!Durban project integrates a number of different modes of transport, and innovations. One aspect of
this is the People Mover buses, which operate in the inner city and along the beachfront, and has been
operational since 2007. Initially with two routes, the People Mover project was revamped in 2010 and now
covers three routes, including about 60 stops and nine transfer points. The City Line runs from Warwick
Junction through parts of the central city to the main transfer station on the beachfront at the end of Dr Pixley
Ka Seme street; the Beach Line operates along the beachfront route from the Ushaka Marine World area to
the Moses Mabhida Stadium precinct; while the Circle Line follows a circular route from Albert Park, past
Victoria Market, Somtseu Road Courts, the ICC and then on Margaret Mncadi back to Albert Park. An average
of 130 000 commuters use the buses every month, with higher numbers during the holidays. The buses are
used by workers, scholars, shoppers, senior citizens and tourists, as well as delegates going from beachfront
hotels to the ICC. The transport operates from 5am to 10pm and stops at stations every 15 minutes. The
buses have wheelchair access, and security guards are stationed at selected bus stops.
In preparation for the Go!Durban system, the eThekwini Transport Authority introduced the Muvo card in 2012.
The Muvo is the “first EMV-certified (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) and NDoT-certified (National Department
of Transport) smartcards worldwide”. 1 They can currently be used on the People Mover, Durban Transport and
Mynah buses in Durban and, as the GO!Durban project develops, will be integrated into the various transport
networks.
In 2014, the Go!Durban achieved a number of milestones.
• Five major construction tenders were awarded.
• A Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the leadership of the minibus taxi industry.
• The project’s Empowerment Charter was unveiled, with the aim of accelerating empowerment. All
contracts (engineering and construction; supply-only contracts, managing contracts and service
contracts; and professional services contracts) will include criteria and clauses that set clearly defined
targets for enterprise development, skills development, equity and corporate social investment
initiatives.
• The city launched its non-motorised transport network.
• The cashless MUVO smartcard system was consolidated.
1. www.godurban.co.za
340 State of South African Cities Report 2016