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Tuesday 15 January 2013
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Service fails us, say the disabled
getting a warning at work as he often arrives late. Johnson, a switchboard operator at a 5DISABLED people are accusing Dial-astar hotel, says apart from having to make Ride of poor service. a booking in advance, punctuality is not a It is understood that the demand for the strong point for the operators. The City appointed a new service provider service far exceeds supply. The service is currently transporting an to operate its Dial-a-Ride service in June last year. average of 296 passengers a day. “Sometimes Dial-a-Ride buses fail to pick Anthony George from Tafelsig is wheelchair-bound and says bookings are subject up passengers. The service wasn’t always problematic, but now they are failing us,” he to availability. “They are often not on time. You have to says. “I get up at 5:00 to be fetched at 5:30, but book seven days in advance. The service also makes no provision for short-term or emer- because they still pick up other passengers, I sometimes arrive late at work. I have also gency transportation needs,” he explains. However, the City of Cape Town attributes requested to be fetched from work at 15:00, the lack of growth in the service due to budg- but sometimes they only fetch me after 16:00. I then arrive at home three hours later,” he etary constraints. Brett Herron, the Mayoral Committee fumes. Herron says: “The pick-up and drop-off member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, says: “The service cannot grow further window period allowed is 15 minutes per due to budget constraints. In an attempt to passenger. The operator is required to inextend the reach of the programme there are form passengers of any significant delays.” Herron also says that if a passenger a number of interventions in place to streamline the service, while at the same doesn’t arrive after five minutes, the driver time the City is exploring various ways to may drive off. “This is a kerb-to-kerb service and the increase the finances available to the servdriver is allowed to wait for five minutes. If ice.” Shahied Johnson (41) from Mitchell’s the passenger does not appear within this pePlain is in a wheelchair and has been using riod the driver moves to the next pick up. Dial-a-Ride for 10 years. He says drastic This is to ensure that no one is kept waiting,” he explains. measures need to be taken. George, who is also the provincial secreThe “failing service” has resulted in him tary of Disabled People’s South Africa, says he prefers using the train as it is more reliable. “I do not use the Dial-a-Ride service often because they are not effective,” he says. Another Dial-a-Ride passenger, who spoke to People’s Post on condition of anonymity, says while she has her grievances with the service, the drivers go beyond their duty. “The drivers often complain about problematic working conditions, but they remain pleasant and are very helpful in assisting us,” she says. To lodge a complaint, call the complaints number on 0800 65 64 63 or fax UNDER FIRE: Disabled people are dissatisfied with 086 576 2561. Alternatively call Zanele the service provided by Dial-a-Ride. Photo: Tygerburger Mabengeza on (021) 400 5454. LAILA MAJIET
GOLDEN MOMENTS: Claims made by the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) that participation in the annual minstrel carnival is “degrading” and “undignified” were slammed by the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association. Despite the claims, thousands of spectators packed the city centre to catch a glimpse of the annual Tweede Nuwejaar cultural showpiece. After being disappointed on New Year’s Eve, when the Cape Malay Choirs’ road march was cancelled due to high winds, the minstrel carnival did not disappoint the crowds. See page 10 and 11 for more. Photo: Clint Dixon