Limpopo Business 2017-18 edition

PROFILE
growth of 18%. Due to economic challenges which
have had a negative impact on funding, the operational
plan for Phases One and Two of Leeto
la Polokwane was revised to deliver on quality,
while reducing the financial deficit to Polokwane
Local Municipality.
The interim phase is to be operated by the Vehicle
Operating Company inclusive of the four affected
taxi associations (Seshego-Polokwane, Moletjie,
Westenburg and Flora Park).
Go-Live targets
As the clock ticks towards the Go-Live phase of the
project, the Polokwane Transportation Directorate
has come a long way in meeting the standards and
requirements outlined by the national Department
of Transport (DoT).
Construction work on the initial stage of Leeto
la Polokwane is progressing well and the project
will ultimately include about 50 kilometres of
road construction and improvements. This entails
trunk and feeder routes. Presently, 2.5km of
dedicated lanes have been completed, with 1.5km
under way. Trunk extension rehabilitation and
upgrades are also progressing well with 13.8km
having been completed. There has also been tangible
progress in the rehabilitation of the central
Ms Anza Ligege, Young Professional in Transportation.
business district (CBD) routes. To that end, 32.6km has
been completed. Such milestones are a confidence
booster and will bring about far-reaching benefits for
public transport users and all residents and visitors.
Non-Motorised Transport and
Universal Accessibility Facilities
The City of Polokwane is encouraging residents and
visitors to walk, cycle or use public transport rather
than private vehicles to get around the city. Through
Leeto la Polokwane the City is promoting alternative
modes of transportation, including non-motorised
and public transport. Leeto la Polokwane will also
ensure there is an accessible public transport system
for people living with disability, the elderly and
people with special needs.
In terms of non-motorised transport, 12.8km of such
facilities has been completed utilising resources
allocated to Leeto la Polokwane, with 24.8km from
partnerships with other grants. These facilities have
lanes that cater for pedestrians and cyclists such
as sidewalks, cross walks, paths and cycle lanes
aimed at ensuring harmony and a working balance
between non-motorised transportation modes and
motorised transport.
Moreover, in line with the specification of the DoT,
the fleet required comprises universally accessible
buses. The project accommodates all people with
special needs, be it people in wheelchairs, those
with hearing and visual impairments, the elderly
and children. Special needs facilities including tactile
paving for the blind, boarding bridges to ensure level
boarding between the stops, stations and buses and
easy-to-use pedestrian and passenger information
signage which are part of the project.
Intelligent Transport System
Leeto la Polokwane is using the latest technology
advancements to ensure an intelligent transport
system to provide long term, high-quality service
to all users. One area is that of an Automated Fare
Collection (AFC) system and entails a flat fare for
67 LIMPOPO BUSINESS 2017/18