The eThekwini Municipality has begun testing and commissioning the GO!Durban Corridor 3 (C3) route between Bridge City and Pinetown, marking a key step towards the introduction of passenger services.
C3 will be the first corridor of the City's Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) to become operational.
The testing phase follows Council's approval of the GO!Durban Business and Operational Plans on 1 September 2026, as well as the signing of the GO!Durban C3 Process Agreement with representatives of the minibus taxi and bus industries.
Testing and commissioning is aimed at ensuring that the infrastructure, buses, technology and operational systems function as intended, both individually and as an integrated network, before passenger services commence.
As part of the process, buses will travel along the route to test timetables and docking at station platforms. The city will also test stations, access control, cashless fare collection and passenger information systems.
Director of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Nelisiwe Zama, said the testing phase is essential to ensuring that the system is safe and reliable before it opens to passengers.
“Testing and commissioning make sure that GO!Durban is safe, reliable and ready before the first passenger boards a bus. This phase allows the City and its operating partners to test every part of the system together, identify any issues and resolve them before services begin,” Zama said.
The municipality has cautioned residents and motorists that they may see GO!Durban buses travelling along the C3 route and in the dedicated bus lanes during this period.
However, the buses are being used strictly for testing purposes and will not carry passengers.
“The commencement of the C3 passenger service will be announced through the City’s official communication channels,” the municipality said.
Road users have been urged to exercise caution along the route, with pedestrians advised to use designated crossings and avoid crossing the dedicated bus lanes.
Motorists are also reminded to obey traffic signals and road signs, particularly at intersections and when turning, as buses may be travelling through the dedicated lanes.
“The bus lanes are reserved exclusively for GO!Durban buses and may not be used by other vehicles or pedestrians.”
Earlier, the municipality which is located in KwaZulu-Natal, signed an agreement with representatives of the minibus taxi and bus industries, paving the way for the launch of the GO!Durban Corridor 3 (C3) in December 2026.
READ | eThekwini signs agreement ahead of GO!Durban C3 launch
- SAnews.gov.za
