The Western Cape Department of Mobility conducted an inspection of the Integrated Transport Hub in George on Monday to see how ongoing innovations were affecting the town’s public transport system.
Mobility Minister, Isaac Sileku, took part in the inspection, highlighting “a series of digital and operational upgrades designed to make transport safer, more affordable, and more convenient for residents of George and the surrounding Garden Route.”
These innovations include a digital platform where residents can receive travel vouchers to go to job interviews or other work-related opportunities, real-time tracking technology of local minibus taxis and buses, and the rollout of a public transport app for the residents of George.
“I was excited to visit the George Integrated Transport Hub today. What we are doing here with our partners is a blueprint for the future of rural and peri-urban transport in South Africa,” enthused Sileku.
The jobseeker travel voucher system saw its second phase launch in June 2025. At the time, the Western Cape government said that too many residents in the province are unable to find work because transport expenses prohibit them from reaching job opportunities.
Transport becomes the obstacle to residents achieving their full potential,” explained Muneera Allie, head of Communication at the Western Cape Mobility Department. Jobseekers could register to take part in the second phase and get tokens to use public transport for free to reach employment.
In George, residents who receive travel vouchers can use the “Go George” bus network. This system of public buses is linked to the local minibus taxi industry through an Intelligent Transport System (ITS), the local government explains.
“By connecting minibus taxis and buses through real-time tracking and improved scheduling, commuters benefit from smoother journeys and more predictable travel times,” it said.
“At the same time, local minibus taxi operators can better coordinate with the formal system, allowing them to serve passengers more efficiently within an integrated and regulated network.”
Residents can use the George App, as it is known, to plan trips, check Go George bus schedules, view route maps, receive alerts about delays and more.
“Every journey, whether to a job interview or a doctor’s appointment, should be safe, accessible, and affordable for everyone,” said Sileku.
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Luis Monzon
htxt.co.za
