Drivers must steer clear of bus lanes

WITH the long-awaited Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS) pilot project set to kick-off next month, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is urging residents to stop parking in the dedicated bus lanes or they could be slapped with a hefty fine.

From Wednesday, cars parked in the lanes will be impounded and motorists will be fined R600.

Municipal spokeswoman Marthie Nel said the municipality wanted to test the routes ahead of the launch next month.

"The municipality is hard at work to ensure the pilot phase of its [IPTS] will be launched in October.

"This means [commuters] will have access to reliable, safe and convenient public transport of world-class standard. In the pilot phase, the buses will initially follow six routes only.

"As the pilot phase will soon be launched, and for their own safety, all motorists are cordially requested to refrain from parking in any of the exclusive IPTS bus lanes," Nel said.