GO! Durban C3 Route Enters Testing Phase After Years of Delays

The eThekwini Municipality's GO!Durban Corridor 3 (C3) route, connecting Bridge City and Pinetown, has commenced testing and commissioning. This phase follows the Council's approval of the GO!Durban Business and Operational Plans on September 1, 2026, and the signing of the GO!Durban C3 Process Agreement with representatives of the minibus taxi and bus industries. The project, valued at R9 billion, aims to provide an integrated public transport network for the city.

The testing phase will verify that the infrastructure, buses, technology, and operating systems function as intended. Buses will travel along the route to check timetables, docking at station platforms, access control, cashless fare collection, and passenger information systems. The eThekwini Transport Authority director, Nelisiwe Zama, emphasized that the testing phase will also assess the safety, reliability, and readiness of the system before the first passenger boards a bus.

The project had stalled under several mayors, including James Nxumalo, Zandile Gumede, Mxolisi Kaunda, and Cyril Xaba. A deadlock between the eThekwini Municipality and private transport operators caused the delay. However, an agreement was reached on September 1, paving the way for the project's launch. The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) intervened last year to break the impasse between taxi operators and the municipality.

The GO!Durban project had faced concerns about its potential termination, similar to the stalled Msunduzi project. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy warned former mayor Cyril Xaba that further delays could have serious financial consequences, including the withholding of R771 million in funding by the National Treasury. The city had failed to meet the December 11, 2025, deadline to come up with a plan to get the project operating.

Despite progress, some of the GO!Durban buses were reportedly being integrated into People Mover, a separate project run by the city in the CBD and surrounding suburbs. The condition of the buses and infrastructure had raised concerns, with some being kept in neglectful conditions. The national Transport Portfolio Committee called on the government to ensure that the bus infrastructure is not lost.

The chairperson of the committee, Donald Selamolela, expressed concern that the infrastructure might lie fallow and turn into waste. The committee was impressed with the project's progress, despite pending talks of discontinuing the program from the National Department of Transport. The city urges road users to exercise caution along the route and follow traffic signals and road signs.

The commencement of the C3 passenger service will be announced through the city's official communication channels. The successful testing and commissioning of the C3 route mark a significant milestone for the GO!Durban project, which aims to provide a reliable and efficient public transport system for the residents of Durban.

Key points

• The R9 billion GO!Durban Corridor project has entered its testing phase, marking a significant milestone after years of delays.
• The project aims to provide an integrated public transport network for the city, connecting Bridge City and Pinetown.
• The testing phase will verify that the infrastructure, buses, technology, and operating systems function as intended, ensuring a safe and reliable service.