Andyman
Pack Dog
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
- Messages
- 194
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Gordons Bay, South Africa
- Bike
- BMW R1200GS Adventure
The pont crossing over the Breede river at Malgas is a ticking bomb and the fuse has been lit.
It is the only manually drawn pont crossing and one of only a few pont crossings left operational in South Africa. (Ocha Ferry at Sendelingsdrif over the Orange River, Kei river in the Eastern Cape)
The reality is the income generated is way below the costs of operating.
The deck is worn and requires a refit. Will it ever be done????
Has been operating below cost for several years and with the need to save money the local municipality has been fighting this reality for a while now,
But reality is reality.
But is it losing money because (apparently according to the cash slips not issued) no one uses it - because YOU DO NOT INSIST UPON A CASH SLIP!!
Far too often, people, even those in my party do not ask for a slip and their sentiment is to help the poor pont operator earn a buck.
His reality is there are two shifts of three pont operators employed by the council, and each gets paid the living wage.
They are not destitute because of not getting paid properly.
Each slip you do not demand is a nail in the coffin of the pont.
So, do not cry when you arrive one day and find it is not operating.
Those slips Mean the money does go to the right authority and this is what determines the fate of the pont.
to keep it running or to privatise and walk away.
If it gets put pout to tender..... then you can imagine the pont fee from a private operator.
If it gets closed- its our fault.
Please demand your slip when you cross the Breede river by pont at Malgas.
It is the only manually drawn pont crossing and one of only a few pont crossings left operational in South Africa. (Ocha Ferry at Sendelingsdrif over the Orange River, Kei river in the Eastern Cape)
The reality is the income generated is way below the costs of operating.
The deck is worn and requires a refit. Will it ever be done????
Has been operating below cost for several years and with the need to save money the local municipality has been fighting this reality for a while now,
But reality is reality.
But is it losing money because (apparently according to the cash slips not issued) no one uses it - because YOU DO NOT INSIST UPON A CASH SLIP!!
Far too often, people, even those in my party do not ask for a slip and their sentiment is to help the poor pont operator earn a buck.
His reality is there are two shifts of three pont operators employed by the council, and each gets paid the living wage.
They are not destitute because of not getting paid properly.
Each slip you do not demand is a nail in the coffin of the pont.
So, do not cry when you arrive one day and find it is not operating.
Those slips Mean the money does go to the right authority and this is what determines the fate of the pont.
to keep it running or to privatise and walk away.
If it gets put pout to tender..... then you can imagine the pont fee from a private operator.
If it gets closed- its our fault.
Please demand your slip when you cross the Breede river by pont at Malgas.
