"Go George" (GIPTN) - a quality public transport system, elements for consideration

Abstract

The paper provides an overview of the approach adopted for the Go George Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) project. It discusses some of the reasoning and decisions taken, and the processes followed in getting the GIPTN operational. It outlines some of the project strengths and weaknesses, as well as some of the successes and failures. The transformation approach adopted for George, while appropriate in most respects at the time, was difficult to implement, and from this has come suggestions as to how to do it differently in future. There is however consensus that there is a definite need to shift from the current mini-bus type service model into the formal public transport realm, as it brings with it significant socio-economic benefits. The Go George system comprises a network of main and community routes operating within the built urban areas of George. Thus, offering a conventional scheduled public transport network operating between 14-18 hours per day at varying frequency levels, that makes use of a mixed bus fleet that allows for service optimisation (using mostly the smaller vehicles during off-peak times, for example) and operations cost (thus subsidy) minimisation. The services is to be extended to the rural areas, and offer inter-town services between George and neighbouring towns.