12 minute read
LEETO LA POLOKWANE
BUS SYSTEM GOES NATIONAL AS ITS NEW DIGITAL CARD SYSTEM GOES LIVE!
The new card system for passengers to use on the Leeto la Polokwane Public Transport System, which we are activating today will also be usable in all other Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems operational in cities across the country. ” Executive Mayor of Polokwane Councillor John Mpe said.
This was on the occasion of the Leeto la Polokwane Travel Card System going “Live!”. The card implies that passengers would no longer use paper tickets or cash on the bus but would use a pre-loaded travel card that does not expire. Leeto la Polokwane is the City of Polokwane’s Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS). It aims to provide a high-quality transport service for passengers in line with the National Transport Act and its Integrated Public Transport Strategy.
The system offers passengers a scheduled transport service with intervals of 30 minutes, making it easy to access important amenities and destinations.
“Bus Rapid Transit systems are by nature cashless and aligned to the use of Automated Fare Collection (AFC) systems. These are regulated by the National Department of Transport (NDoT) as part of the grant requirements for all operating cities to adhere. This implies that when all the national systems are compliant, Leeto la Polokwane users will be able to use the same card on the Rea Vaya buses in Johannesburg; A Re Yeng buses in Pretoria; MiCity in Cape Town, and the Gautrain hi-speed train in Gauteng,” Councillor Mpe explained.
“This notion resonates with the South African Road Federation and echoes the deep-rooted sentiments that have stimulated the development of integrated public transportation systems across our country.” He concluded.
The system uses low-riding reliable rolling stock that is easily accessible even to those with special needs and includes deployable boarding bridges to allow passengers on wheelchairs and mothers with baby strollers to enter and exit the buses safely. The other features are raised tactile (textured) paving, beeping alarms, and voice announcements that guide people with visual impairment challenges.
No paper. No cash on the bus – just tap
The Leeto la Polokwane Travel Cards replaced paper tickets that was used as a fare payment method since October 2021. The paper tickets were an interim payment method while the Municipality was finalising the Automated Fare Collection (AFC) payment method. The Account-Based Ticketing Automated Fare Collection system is implemented in partnership with the National Department of Transport (NDoT) and the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) which serves as a transaction clearing house for all BRT operating cities.
When a passenger boards the bus, they will simply tap their Leeto Travel Card on the card validator and view their remaining balance instantly.
The card balance can also be viewed at the Leeto registration centres and the upcoming Leeto mobile application (App). The passenger should load their travel card before it reaches a zero balance, as funds may take time to reflect after reloading.
Safety, SecurityConvenience
The cashless card system will reduce fare evasion and ensure passengers' and employees' safety and security. With effect from 1 July 2023, cash is no longer accepted on board. The passenger can preload sufficient money in advance, allowing them to use the same card for as long as they have it, as it does not expire.
The card allows the commuter to enjoy seamless benefits such as:
• A personalized travel card that can be used on other public transport systems that are ABT compliant;
• Option to top-up the card on the bus using a bank card;
• Ability to check the balance on the bus validator;
• Blocking a lost or stolen card and still retaining the unused balance;
• Loyalty and rewards program benefits >
All Leeto Travel Cards have a unique Pin and a Primary Account Number (Pan). Pin and Pan are unique numbers displayed at the back and front of the card. The card Pin is displayed in 4 digits at the back of the card, while the Pan number in 16 digits on the front. Once customers have registered for their Leeto Travel Card, storing the card's Pin and Pan number is essential. This information will be necessary if the card is lost or damaged and needs to be reported at the Leeto office. The Pin and Pan will be used to register the new Leeto Travel Card. Customers will not need an ID or passport if they provide their Pin and Pan to report lost or damaged cards.
At registration of a new card, the commuter should bring a valid;
• RSA Identity Document (ID) or;
• Birth Certificate or;
• Passport
A R45 card purchase fee will be required. Commuters should expect a call from the SANRAL call centre to assist with the card registration.
Uplifting the community –supporting development
Councillor Mpe expounded: “Public transportation is significant to a growing and thriving economy and plays a crucial role in the community. It is the lifeline that provides gateway access to places of education, health, employment, recreation, entertainment, and other essential services.”
“As Polokwane gears towards becoming a metropolitan city, we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation to ensure a well-planned and operational transportation system that improves the overall travel experience in Polokwane whilst improving the livelihood of our communities,” he added.
The mayor explained that the municipality committed to providing a bus service that is a high-quality public transport service that is scheduled, reliable, safe, affordable and accessible.
It is against this background that Polokwane Municipality introduced the Leeto la Polokwane bus service, in line with the city’s 2030 smart city vision.
The system is currently servicing the Seshego, the inner city, Nirvana and Florapark communities. Although the bus operations started slowlyin terms of ridership, the situation quickly changed eight months into the operations after implementing the new council-approved turnaround strategy. During the first few months of operation back in October 2022, it ferried on average 3 148 passengers.
Leeto la Polokwane now transports an average of 66 450 passengers per month.
“During the recent IDP sessions conducted in April, community members across other clusters of the municipality indicated their desire for the bus service around their areas. As a municipality that is attentive to the needs and preferences of its residents, we have heard the plea and our focus in the next financial year will be the planning of extending the Leeto la Polokwane bus service to cater to other clusters and wards of the municipality in the near future,” said the executive mayor.
Councillor Mpe added that over the centuries, the advancement of every community was founded upon the availability of affordable and efficient means of transportation for both people and goods. It was a fundamental aspect of societal progress. We all know that for transportation to truly function effectively, it requires adequate infrastructure development.
“The establishment of Leeto la Polokwane has brought about a valuable partnership in the city’s public transportation landscape, which involves the three affected taxi associations. The collaboration between the Municipality and the taxi industry has paved the way for the efficient operation of public transportation services and has improved the lives of many people,” he added.
“The system impacted particularly those previously employed in the informal taxi industry without job security, as well as community members with disabilities who were unable to use public transportation because it did not cater to their special needs; and the over 500 people who have now been employed through the implementation of this system.
The new card system takes the support of the disadvantaged further as the card will be easily identifiable by all, including passengers with visual impairments. We are exploring a unique tactile feature – 3 holes inserted in the middle of the card.”
Going digital
Councillor Mpe stated proudly: “We have developed a Leeto la Polokwane Mobile APP that will be available for download on the different app stores from 3 July 2023. The APP is designed to make travel more convenient and improve communication between bus operations and the passengers.
“Our commuters will be able to view the balance and top up cards from the App, they will also be able to view timetables and other important information, the APP has the capability to track the bus, passengers can plan their journey and get real-time information from the Chatbot services and push notifications. We encourage all Leeto la Polokwane passengers with smartphones to download the APP. As a fitting advancement, we are in the process of introducing digital information screens and free Wi-Fi on the buses to further enhance the user experience on the Leeto la Polokwane bus service.”
Addressing infrastructure challenges
The Mayor of Polokwane added: “It would be futile to introduce hi-tech services and new equipment in infrastructure that is old with narrow roads that do not cater for buses. As we move forward to the future, our focus for the coming financial year will be the completion of the following projects, which are at an advanced stage towards completion:
• The widening of Sand River Bridge along Nelson Mandela Drive, which is currently at 85% physical progress;
• Completion of the General Joubert Street Station, which is at 77% physical progress.
“As part of our unwavering efforts to improve the movement of people and goods, we launched a campaign to wage war on potholes on 18 May 2023, aiming to reshape the city's road infrastructure landscape. Our theme, "The Road Ahead Looks Bright," seeks to confirm that we are aware of the road infrastructure backlog, > however, we are putting in the work to change and improve the status quo.”
The role of partnerships
The mayor said the municipality had received much support from strategic partners and aims to garner further support and participation from various socio-economic stakeholders to help establish safe, reliable, and affordable transport systems and world-class road infrastructure to create ccessibility in Polokwane Municipality. This will bring the municipality closer to realising its vision of an Integrated Public Transport System, allowing passengers and tourists to have a first-hand experience of the city.
The Municipality launched a 6-month campaign to promote the new card system in partnership with Meropa Casino and Entertainment World and was encouraged by the fact that over 50% of current passengers had already registered for the new cards.
“As part of our medium-term operational plan, the Leeto la Polokwane bus service will expand its operations to cater to passengers travelling between the CBD and Meropa Casino. To strengthen such a partnership, the casino commits through a sponsorship agreement that will support our activities over the long term and provide dedicated card sales and top-up point for Leeto Travel Cards,” Councillor Mpe explained. “The collaboration promises to deliver economic outputs and opportunities that will expand our service offering within the city.”
Meropa Casino and Entertainment World would run competitions for participants in various strategic parts of Polokwane city during the campaign, with prizes to be won. Additionally, the casino will offer exciting prizes to the value of R100 000.00 to Leeto passengers, as well as provide conferencing facilities for some of the stakeholder engagement sessions in the coming year.
The Mayor explained: “These initiatives mark a notable milestone on one of the objectives of our turnaround strategy to collaborate in more strategic partnerships to improve our Leeto la Polokwane Integrated Public Transport.
We recognise that we cannot achieve our goals alone, as we are an integral part of a community-based ecosystem.”
“Embracing our ethos of a Naturally Progressive city, we are inherently committed to progressive innovation and advancement. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the core principles upon which we were founded. Thus, the establishment of Leeto la Polokwane is not a mere coincidence but a deliberate endeavour to create a transportation system that is customer-oriented and of the highest quality,” he added.
“We remain resolute in the idea that, together, we can forge a path towards a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous future. Paramount, the development and enhancement of Leeto la Polokwane have farreaching outcomes, touching the lives of our citizens and shaping the future by connecting our communities.”
Quoting scientist and writer from North Carolina (USA), Erol Ozan, Councillor Mpe concluded: “You cannot understand a city without using its public transportation system."
Contact Information
TEL: 015 023 0055
068 554 4235 (Whatsapp)
Email: leetolapolokwane@polokwane.gov.za
Web: www.leetolapolokwane.co.za
Address:
New Peter Mokaba Stadium (East Wing),Transport Directorate,Polokwane Limpopo 0700
