The DA in Limpopo calls on the CEO of Great North Transport, Dr Matata Mokoele, to explore the possibility of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with Great North Transport (GNT) aimed at self-sustainability and improved passenger service.
The Auditor-General found in her PFMA 2023/24 audit outcomes that the embattled and heavily subsided state owned bus company did not meet any of its targets.
Reasons for this failure include:
- The reduction of number of passengers transported annually from 9.2 million in to 6.8 million in the current year;
- A decrease in bus reliability rate from 82% to 75% in 2023/24;
- A decrease in the number of buses undergoing planned maintenance from 124 buses to 95 buses in 2023/24;
- A total of 422 buses contracted, but the current fleet consists of 102 operational buses;
- The closure of the Bapedi bus depot and
- Increasing operational challenges at depots which affects the scheduled pick-up times, roadworthiness of buses and safety concerns of passengers.
The near collapse of the Waterberg depot in Mokopane necessitated an agreement with privately owned bus companies which will commence in the new financial year.
This willingness by GNT to enter into PPP’s for 1 depot must be extended to its entire operation to align with the Limpopo Economic Development Agency’s (LEDA) resolution that all their SOC’s must be self-sustainable by the end of the current financial year.
PPP partnerships will ensure that GNT delivers safe, inclusive and dignified public transport to the people of Limpopo.