eThekwini signs agreement ahead of planned GO! Durban C3 launch

eThekwini Municipality's City Manager Musa Mbhele with representatives from the bus and minibus taxi industries Mandla Gcaba and Mathula Mkhize during the signing of the agreement that paves the way for the long-delayed launch of the GO!Durban project.

The long-delayed GO!Durban public transport project has moved a step closer to becoming operational, with eThekwini Municipality signing an agreement with minibus taxi and bus industry representatives ahead of the planned December launch.

The signing has raised hopes that the first phase of the integrated public transport network will finally begin carrying passengers in time for the festive season, after roughly 16 years of delays and setbacks.

The GO!Durban Corridor 3 (C3) Process Agreement was signed on Friday at the Durban Exhibition Centre, where the City also unveiled the new buses that will operate along the route.

The agreement establishes a framework for integrating affected minibus taxi and bus operators into the system, with services to be delivered through formal Vehicle Operating Companies contracted to the municipality.

C3 will run between Bridge City in KwaMashu and Pinetown, connecting residents to employment opportunities, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.

It will be the first corridor of GO!Durban, eThekwini's Integrated Public Transport Network, to become operational. Its launch follows council's approval of the network's business and operational plans on September 1.

The project has become a rallying point for ActionSA's eThekwini mayoral candidate, Zwakele Mncwango, who has repeatedly criticised what he describes as wasteful expenditure, unfulfilled promises and years of delays.

EThekwini has lagged behind several other cities that have introduced bus rapid transit and integrated public transport systems, including Johannesburg's Rea Vaya, Cape Town's MyCiTi, Tshwane's A Re Yeng and Ekurhuleni's Harambee.

The delays have also drawn comparisons with Buffalo City Municipality, where the public transport network project has struggled to progress. The national Department of Transport suspended Buffalo City's access to the Public Transport Network Grant amid concerns about implementation and institutional capacity.

In 2026, government announced that the grant would be phased out over three years, citing persistent underperformance in the bus rapid transit programme.

Speaking at Friday's signing ceremony, City Manager Musa Mbhele said the municipality was committed to providing residents with safe, reliable and affordable public transport.

“The GO!Durban C3 Process Agreement represents important progress in strengthening collaboration between government and the public transport industries as we work towards a network that serves our communities and supports economic participation,” Mbhele said.

Chairperson of the eThekwini Metro Taxi Council Mathula Mkhize described the agreement as a significant achievement for the public transport sector, saying it reflected progress made through ongoing engagement, consultation and partnership between the municipality and stakeholders.

The signing formed part of the City's Transport Month programme, held under the theme “Building the Network Together”.

Delegates also visited Westrich Station at Midway Crossing, where they were shown the fare collection system, including the tap-in gates passengers will use. They also observed feeder services in operation and visited the facility where I AM GO! badges are issued as part of the customer registration process.

Before passenger services begin, the municipality and its partners must finalise operating contracts and complete the testing and commissioning of the infrastructure, buses and other systems.

C3 is the first corridor in Phase 1 of the GO!Durban network. It will be followed by corridors C1, C9 and C2, as well as the Inner City Distribution System.