Ethekwini:The eThekwini Municipality has commenced the testing and commissioning phase for the GO!Durban Corridor 3 (C3) route, spanning from Bridge City to Pinetown. This marks a significant advancement towards the initiation of passenger services for the corridor.
According to South African Government News Agency, C3 will be the inaugural corridor of the city's Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) to become operational. The testing phase follows the eThekwini Council's approval of the GO!Durban Business and Operational Plans on September 1, 2026, as well as the signing of the GO!Durban C3 Process Agreement with representatives from the minibus taxi and bus industries.
The testing and commissioning are critical for ensuring the functionality of infrastructure, buses, technology, and operational systems, both individually and as an integrated network, before passenger services commence. As part of the process, buses will navigate the route to test timetables and docking at station platforms, alongside testing stations, access control, cashless fare collection, and passenger information systems.
Director of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Nelisiwe Zama, emphasized the importance of this phase in guaranteeing the system's safety and reliability prior to opening for 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 stated.
Residents and motorists are advised that GO!Durban buses may be observed traveling along the C3 route and dedicated bus lanes during this period. However, these buses are designated strictly for testing purposes and will not carry passengers. The municipality has assured that the commencement of the C3 passenger service will be announced through the City’s official communication channels.
Road users are 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 traveling through the dedicated lanes. "The bus lanes are reserved exclusively for GO!Durban buses and may not be used by other vehicles or pedestrians," the municipality cautioned.
Earlier, an agreement was signed 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.