Solution to port shuttle bus debate no closer

The problem of port users being compelled to travel in a shuttle bus in the ports of Durban and Richards Bay is still under furious debate between users and port management – but no nearer a solution. The demand is that all port users have to park their cars on entering the ports, and use the shuttle buses for accessing the various quays around the docks. It was a loud complaint in Durban all of last year, and spread its wings to Richards Bay at year-end – to be met with equally loud moans of discontent. According to Carl Webb, MD of Project Logistics Management and a disturbed user of the Port of Durban, it has been a long battle between the freight industry and the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) on the one side and Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) on the other. The case laid by the port users was simple. The system may well be suitable for personnel who do not have to access the harbour on a regular basis. “But it’s totally impractical and counter-productive for regular port users and customers of TPT.” When the shuttle bus idea moved on to Richards Bay on December 5, port user Dave Gardner, RB branch manager of Macs Shipping, told FTW that the Durban argument was exacerbated by another factor at RB. The massive spread of quays at this huge port meant that regular users were consuming too much time each working day just waiting for, and travelling by shuttle bus. But, although the RB port users immediately called on TPT to discuss their concerns, they were initially met with the block that the directive had come from Brian Molefe, group CEO of Transnet. A further meeting, Gardner told FTW last week, only led to a port users’ committee being set up to handle the problem, but with TPT management postponing any more discussions on the issue till February. A similar stall tactic has been adopted by TPT in Durban, according to Webb. “No further movement or meetings of any type,” he told FTW. “And it’s getting worse because the summer rainy season has started, and port users are getting soaked just hanging around waiting for shuttle buses.”