In eThekwini, the Go! Durban is long overdue and has been besieged with challenges.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
After 16 years and a staggering R9-billion spent, the Go!Durban project is mired in uncertainty, as the Portfolio Committee on Transport highlights the absence of operational buses on its dedicated lanes.
This week, a new challenge emerged when the National Treasury announced that the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) will be reduced by about R8.4 billion over the next three years, with funds diverted towards more pressing needs, particularly in the passenger rail sector.
As a result metropolitan municipalities, such as eThekwini, who have been struggling to roll out the Integrated Public Transport Network System (IPTNS) programme, are set to lose billions.
In January, the Portfolio Committee for Transport visited the IPTNS project in Pietermaritzburg and the Go!Durban project.
Donald Selamolela, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, said the reduction by Treasury is going to impact negatively on the project.
He said the project in eThekwini never took off, and it has been 16 years.
"We had to do the oversight visit because we were worried that with the time and money spent we should be talking about people moving from point A to point B. That is why Treasury is saying the money spent on the whole project is not justifiable. Money had continually been thrown into the project, and this year alone, the Metro was given a R730 million allocation, with an additional R300 million that was owed from withheld funds in 2025. This is over a billion.
"The curious thing about eThekwini is that it has all the expensive infrastructure laid out, but there are no buses on the lanes. In fact, the Metro does not have buses," he said.
Selamolela said eThekwini mayor, Cyril Xaba and his team, informed the committee that over R9 billion rands had been spent on the project.
"Three things were identified as frustrating the successful implementation of the project in eThekwini and they are, inconsistency of budget allocation, establishment of the Vehicle Operating Company (VOC), and the lack of interest from the taxi industry," said Selamolela.
Selamolela said the committee will not allow Go!Durban to be another deserted project when the project is almost 85% ready for use.
"In the three-year window that the department of transport has given to the Metro of its intention to wind down, it is crucial that eThekwini Metro moves to procure fleet.
"It is crucial that the Metro moves on the things it identified as hurdles. At the same time, a sustainability plan for the project, beyond involvement of the national department, be devised.
Go!Durban, for all its worth, should be seen to finality, and it should be effectively run by the municipality from its coffers. What a day will it be, when Go! Durban compliments My Citi in Cape Town, and Rea Vaya in Johannesburg," added Selamolela.
eThekwini Municipality’s marketing and communications deputy head, Gugu Sisilana, said it is currently engaged in critical consultations with key stakeholders as part of the finalisation of the phased implementation of GO!Durban services.
"The commencement of these services will be formally announced once these processes are complete, ensuring that all procedural requirements are fully adhered to and that no premature commitments are made. The city is, however, targeting the rollout of GO!Durban services during the 2026/2027 financial year,” said Sisilana.
The City did not respond to questions regarding the impact the diversion of funding will have on the finalisation of the Go!Durban project or whether the city have procured all the buses for the project.
Riona Gokool, DA KZN provincial spokesperson on transport, said the decision by the National Treasury to redirect approximately R8.4 billion away from the Integrated Public Transport Network System (IPTNS) programme will have serious implications for the already delayed Go!Durban project in eThekwini.
"The funding reprioritisation effectively confirms what the DA has warned for years that the Go! Durban Bus Rapid Transit system has been plagued by poor planning, escalating costs, and continuous delays.
"Reduced allocations will likely slow or halt further rollout phases, leaving incomplete infrastructure and commuters without the promised transport alternative. Without urgent restructuring and accountability, residents may never see the project fully operational despite billions already invested," said Gokool.
She said several billions of rand have already been spent on planning, infrastructure construction, stations, depots, and partially completed corridors.
"The DA maintains that the lack of transparent reporting and weak project management have contributed directly to cost overruns and wasted expenditure.
"At present, no fully functional BRT service envisioned under Go!Durban is operating at scale as originally promised," she said.
Gokool said the DA believes the funding shift underscores the urgent need for a reset.
"eThekwini must conduct a full forensic review of expenditure, publish a transparent implementation plan, and prioritise partnerships with existing transport operators to deliver practical, commuter-focused solutions.
"Residents deserve a transport system that works, not unfinished infrastructure and broken promises," said Gokool.