Month: February 2021

GO GEORGE sets learners on their way to safe bus travel

Issued: 22 Feb 2021

The 2021 school year has commenced at last with all learners returning to school last week. With most schools rotating attendance, the usual increase of bus passengers was not as noticeable this year, but GO GEORGE was ready to welcome the young passengers back on board, focusing on route planning for the new commuters and Covid safety for all.

GO GEORGE communication champions were positioned at all bus stops close to schools, handing out and explaining school-specific route maps. New GO GEORGE superhero, The Sanitiser, provided lots of fun and laughter sanitising the learners’ hands with a toy water pistol while the importance of hand sanitising was reinforced by handing out pocket-sized bottles with sanitiser.

Any individuals, schools or businesses needing more information about using the bus service are welcome to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044 for assistance, or to request a visit from the communications team.

CAPTION:

The GO GEORGE champions handed out and explained each school’s specific route map for learners travelling to the school from different areas in of town.

GO GEORGE berei leerders voor vir veiligheid op bus

Uitgereik: 22 Februarie 2021

Die 2021-skooljaar het uiteindelik begin met alle leerders wat verlede week teruggekeer het skool toe. Met die meeste skole wat bywoning roteer, was die gewone toename in buspassasiers nie vanjaar so merkbaar nie, maar GO GEORGE was gereed om die jong passasiers weer aan boord te verwelkom, met die fokus op roetebeplanning vir die nuwe pendelaars, en Covid-veiligheid vir almal.

GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes is by alle bushaltes naby skole geplaas om skool-spesifieke roetekaarte uit te deel en toe te lig. Die nuwe GO GEORGE-superheld, The Sanitiser, het vir baie pret gesorg met sy ontsmetting van die leerders se hande met sy speelgoed-waterpistool terwyl die belangrikheid van handreiniging versterk is deur sakgrootte botteltjies met handreiniger uit te deel.

Enige individue, skole of sakeondernemings wat meer inligting oor die gebruik van die busdiens benodig, is welkom om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel vir hulp, of om ‘n besoek van die kommunikasiespan aan te vra.

ONDERSKRIF:

Die GO GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes het elke skool se spesifieke roetekaart uitgedeel en verduidelik aan leerders wat uit verskillende gebiede in die dorp bus ry skool toe.

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION:  RECENT POWER OUTAGES EXPLAINED

During a 24-hour period this week, seven cable faults were experienced on 5 11kv cables.  The cables mostly fed the CBD, Denneoord and Bergsig areas.

The bulk of the residents in these areas were able to be re-energised using alternative feeders, but unfortunately 13 small transformers had to remain off until repairs were completed to at least one of the 11 kv underground cables.

A preliminary investigation and fault analysis indicated that there were no network abnormalities or negligence that could have caused the cable faults.

Further investigations are still being performed to give us an indication as to why so many cable faults occurred in such a short time.  The latest series of load shedding by ESKOM has not been ruled out as a possible cause.

The network remains vulnerable until such time as all the cables have been repaired and the system is switched back to normal. The first outage occurred at 03h13 on the 15^th February and the last consumers were restored at 02h51 today 16^th February.

George Municipality apologizes for this unforeseen occurrence and regrets any inconvenience caused.

George Municipal Court committed to service despite stringent Covid regulations

Although the Covid-19 pandemic hit all services hard especially during the stringent lockdown period in 2020,  the George Municipal Court has dealt with 45122  municipal traffic cases opening in 2017, excluding cases from the Provincial Traffic Department.

Adv Johann Van Schalkwyk, Head: Legal and Compliance Services, George Municipality said the court is served by a magistrate Amanda Joubert,  stenographer Michael Krige, prosecutor Sikolele Magxwalisa, an interpreter Adrian Kraai, clerk of the court Angelique Felix and an administrative clerk Andiswa Dakada.  The main purpose of the Court is to prosecute and adjudicate traffic related offences received from both the Provincial and Municipal Traffic Departments, which were committed within the jurisdiction of the Municipality and to ensure compliance with the National Building Regulations and Municipal By-Laws.

The Municipal Court is achieving its objective of providing a better service to the community and ensuring compliance with legislation and by-laws. Van Schalkwyk said the court is functioning well and fulfils its role to deliver a service to the residents of George.

The public is reminded that the municipal court located at George Civic Centre, currently operates under strict Covid-19 protocols. The entrance to the building is at the front of the George Civic Centre (facing York Street). Members of the public can make appointments to see the Prosecutor of the court, Sikolele Magxwalisa. The public can send the prosecutor an email on smagxwalisa@george.gov.za or phone the clerk of the court on 044 801 9400.

Caption: MunCourt3 – A posed scene of the Courtroom when in session.

 George Libraries celebrate World Read-Aloud Day.

George Library joined the rest of the world by being part of World Read-aloud day on Wednesday,  February 3rd, in order to develop and foster a love for reading and books.

Rachel Williams, Manager: George Libraries said they linked up with Nali’Bal i(which means “here’s the story”) to escape into a world of fun and laughter by means of a story written by Sihle Nontshokweni and  illustrated by Magriet Brink and Leo Daly: Fly, everyone, fly! Janine Pierre Carolus, librarian at George Library, is the library story-reader this  year. Librarians Garelene Muller from George library, Angelina Figeland from Waboomskraal library and Jeanetta Rhode from Conville Library also read stories aloud to indicate the importance of literature and reading. All the video clips  can be found on the George Municipality Youtube account https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJRa8wJoapRYwh1YcPwMEQ/videos

According to Mrs Williams, this campaign advocates for access to literacy and diverse stories as the aim, is celebrated on the first Wednesday of February each year. She said World Read-Aloud Day is an inspiring programme that unlocks the potential of young ones through literacy. George Library Service took part in this event by means of a virtual programme as well as radioslots on Eden FM and Heartbeat FM. Malibongwe Luyenge and library assistant at Blanco Library, Gene Carolus , spoke about the campaign on radio and read stories aloud for the radio listeners.

Williams said we must encourage one another to become passionate about reading, writing and storytelling and root these habits into our daily lives. Staff members read to small groups of children and in some instances even had one-on-one sessions with youngsters during this annual reading campaign. In adherence to Covid-19 protocols, no events were held inside the libraries. All events took place in outside spaces.

She said the value of Reading Aloud is that It is a fun activity that allows children to escape into another world, it stimulates and enhance good listening and communication skills and it exposes children to new words and thoughts, which develop cognitive and language skills.

Williams says the value of World Read Aloud Day is the exposure of  children to different cultures and languages as the story by Nali’Bali is written in all official languages. The emphasis of the day is put on the importance of books, literature and reading .

Caption:

Read aloud 1: Audrenay Meiring from Pacaltsdorp Primary School reads aloud on World Read Aloud Day.

Jayden Erasmus from Waboomskraal Primary School reads aloud on World Read Aloud Day. Jayden’s recording can be found on the George Municipality’s Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eegAQu3iUJk

GO GEORGE keeping the Covid-safety message alive

Issued on 16 Feb 2021

With an essential service such as the GO GEORGE bus service officially classified as a high-risk area for the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the constant refreshing of safety messages to promote awareness and compliance to regulations is critical.

“There’s always the risk that people may become complacent when a situation lingers on as is the case with the pandemic,” says James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager. “For this reason, our communications team is constantly coming up with new creative ideas and innovative forms of communication to reach as many of our passengers as possible, and with a message that they can identify with.”

Audio and visual messaging

Apart from regular newspaper and radio advertisements and social media reminders to adhere to the regulations, voice recordings are played over loudspeakers at the Transport Hub during peak times, and Covid-safety messages have been added to the digital board inside the bus. With passengers spending some time daily at the bus shelters, vinyl panels carrying the message have also been applied there, where everybody can see it. By including both audio and visual messaging, the bus service reiterates its commitment to make this important message accessible to people with different categories of special needs.

Champions “walking reminders”

The communication champions have two sets of eye-catching outfits with Covid messaging to wear when they are on duty.

“It sometimes just takes someone with a bright-yellow sash like a beauty queen to remind you to pull up your mask over your nose as well!” says Robb.

Targeting learners

With schools starting this week, communication champions are at the bus stops near schools to hand out flyers with relevant safety measures when travelling by bus. A colourful superhero named The Sanitiser will make his debut as part of the communications team, sanitising the learners’ hands in a playful manner with a toy water pistol filled with sanitising liquid. To make the message stick, small bottles of GO GEORGE-branded hand sanitiser are also handed out.

For any information about the bus service, the public is invited to phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, seven days a week.

CAPTIONS:
1. Tyron Jeyi, newly appointed Community Liaison Officer in the communications team, points to the on-board digital messaging board where information such as the next stop on the route is displayed. Important Covid-safety messages relating to behaviour on the bus have now been added to the list.

2. Communication champions Zanele Gosa (left) and Janell Gelant display examples of the apparel with Covid-safety reminders which they wear when engaging with passengers.

GO GEORGE hou Covid-veiligheidsboodskap lewe

Uitgereik op 15 Februarie 2021

Met ‘n noodsaaklike diens soos die GO GEORGE-busdiens wat amptelik as ‘n hoë-risikogebied vir die verspreiding van die Covid-19-virus geklassifiseer is, is die konstante verfrissing van veiligheidsboodskappe om bewustheid en nakoming van regulasies te bevorder uiters belangrik.

“Daar is altyd die risiko dat mense te gerus kan raak wanneer ‘n situasie voortsleep soos wat met die pandemie die geval is,” sê James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder. “Om hierdie rede kom ons kommunikasiespan voortdurend met nuwe kreatiewe idees en innoverende vorms van kommunikasie vorendag om soveel as moontlik van ons passasiers te bereik, en met ‘n boodskap waarmee hulle kan identifiseer.”

Oudio- en visuele boodskappe

Benewens gereelde koerant- en radio advertensies en sosiale-media-aanmanings om aan die regulasies te voldoen, word stemopnames gedurende spitstye oor luidsprekers by die Vervoerkern (Transport Hub) gespeel, en is Covid-veiligheidsboodskappe op die digitale inligtingsbord in die bus bygevoeg. Met passasiers wat daagliks ‘n taamlike tydjie by die busskuilings deurdring, is vinielpanele wat die boodskap oordra ook daar aangebring, waar almal dit kan sien. Deur beide klank- en visuele boodskappe in te sluit, bevestig die busdiens sy verbintenis om hierdie belangrike boodskap toeganklik te maak vir mense met verskillende kategorieë van spesiale behoeftes.

“Wandelende aanmaners”

Die passasiersdiensbeamptes het twee stelle opvallende uitrustings met Covid-boodskappe om te dra wanneer hulle aan diens is.

“Dit neem soms net iemand met ‘n heldergeel band skuins oor die lyf – soos ‘n skoonheidskoningin – om jou te herinner om jou masker oor jou neus ook op te trek!” sê Robb.

Leerders geteiken

Met skole wat vandeesweek begin, is passasiersdiensbeamptes by die bushaltes naby skole om pamflette met relevante veiligheidsmaatreëls wat op die busse geld, uit te deel. ‘n Kleurvolle superheld genaamd “The Sanitiser” maak hierdie week sy debuut as deel van die kommunikasiespan en ontsmet die leerders se hande op ‘n speelse wyse met ‘n speelgoedwaterpistool vol handreiniger. Om die boodskap te laat vassteek, word klein botteltjies handreiniger ook uitgedeel.

Vir enige inligting oor die busdiens word die publiek genooi om die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044 te skakel, sewe dae per week.

Byskrifte:
1. Tyron Jeyi, pas aangestelde gemeenskapskakelbeampte in die kommunikasiespan, beduie na die digitale inligtingsbord in die bus waar inligting soos die volgende bushalte op die roete vertoon word. Belangrike Covid-veiligheidsboodskappe wat met gedrag op die bus verband hou, is nou by die lys gevoeg.

2. Passasiersdiensbeamptes Zanele Gosa (links) en Janell Gelant vertoon voorbeelde van die klere met Covid-veiligheidsboodskappe wat hulle dra wanneer hulle met die publiek skakel.

BE SAFE ON THE BUS TO SCHOOL THIS YEAR

Issued: Mon 8 Feb 2021

With the new academic year starting next week, parents’ transport schedules will be taking on the regular frenzy of dropping-off and picking up their children at school. Parents of learners who make use of the GO GEORGE bus service to get to school, are encouraged to help their children get equipped in time.

It is important to get a GO GEORGE Smart Card and load enough trips before schools start, and not to wait until they have no trips left before topping up again. The Smart Card should be treated with the same care as any bank card or cash; if it gets lost, trips on the card cannot be refunded or transferred to a new card.

School route maps

This year, GO GEORGE communication champions may not be able to visit all schools as usual at the beginning of the school year, due to Covid-19 safety restrictions.  They will, however, be present at the bus stops near schools during the first few weeks of the school term to inform learners about the different routes to school. Unique maps depicting the different options available to school and back home have been created for each school and will be discussed with the learners. These maps can also be downloaded from the website www.gogeorge.org.za.

Learners are advised to discuss boarding time with the champions and the best routes to use to avoid full buses during peak time. Champions will also remind learners about important Covid-19 safety regulations. This will be done in a novel manner, with the assistance of The Sanitiser – a superhero character who will make sure that the young passengers do not forget to wear their masks correctly and to regularly sanitise their hands.

Covid-19 safety

GO GEORGE Manager, James Robb, calls upon parents to also help imprint the importance of adherence to the Covid-19 safety regulations on their children when using the bus service.

“Public transport remains a high-risk environment for the spreading of the virus. We are doing everything in our power to contribute to passengers’ safety when using our buses. But we need all our passengers, learners included, to take responsibility for their own health and safety by adhering to the basic safety measures,” he said.

“Please make sure that your child is equipped with a proper mask covering both the mouth and nose, and that they keep the masks on, even when chatting to friends on the bus. We supply sanitiser on the buses – passengers should sanitise their hands when they enter and when they leave the bus.”

For more information on the best routes to the various schools in town, phone the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044, send an email to info@gogeorge.org.za or visit www.gogeorge.org.za.

CAPTION:
Keenan Myners demonstrates how masks should be worn, covering the mouth as well as the nose. It is of utmost importance that passengers should keep their masks on during the entire bus trip – all protection is compromised when the mask is taken off to chat to co-passengers.

WEES VANJAAR VEILIG OP DIE BUS SKOOL TOE

Uitgereik: Maandag 8 Februarie 2021

Met die nuwe akademiese jaar wat volgende week afskop, begin ouers se uitdaging met dol vervoerskedules om hul kinders by die skool af te laai en op te tel. Ouers van leerders wat van die GO GEORGE-busdiens gebruik maak om by die skool uit te kom, word aangemoedig om hul kinders te help om betyds alles hiervoor gereed te kry.

Dit is belangrik om ‘n GO GEORGE Slimkaart te kry en genoeg ritte te laai voordat skole begin, en nie te wag totdat leerders geen ritte oor het voordat hulle weer herlaai nie. Die Slimkaart moet met dieselfde sorg as enige bankkaart of kontant hanteer word; as dit wegraak, kan ritte op die kaart nie terugbetaal of na ‘n nuwe kaart oorgedra word nie.

Skoolroetekaarte

Go GEORGE-passasiersdiensbeamptes sal weens Covid-19-veiligheidsbeperkings nie aan die begin van die skooljaar alle skole soos gewoonlik kan besoek nie. Hulle sal egter gedurende die eerste paar weke van die skoolkwartaal by die bushaltes naby skole wees om leerders in te lig oor die verskillende roetes skool toe. Unieke kaarte wat die verskillende opsies skool toe en terug huis toe uitbeeld, is vir elke skool geskep en sal met die leerders bespreek word. Hierdie kaarte kan ook afgelaai word vanaf die webwerf www.gogeorge.org.za. Leerders word aangeraai om die beste opklimtyd en roetes om vol busse gedurende spitstyd te vermy met die passasiersdiensbeamptes te bespreek.

Die beamptes sal leerders ook herinner aan belangrike Covid-19-veiligheidsregulasies. ‘n Superheldkarakter genaamd The Sanitiser sal op vermaaklike wyse seker maak dat die jong passasiers nie vergeet om hul maskers korrek te dra en gereeld hul hande te ontsmet nie.

Covid-19-veiligheid

GO GEORGE-bestuurder, James Robb, doen ‘n beroep op ouers om ook te help om die belangrikheid van nakoming van die Covid-19-veiligheidsregulasies by hul kinders in te skerp wanneer hulle die busdiens gebruik.

“Openbare vervoer bly ‘n hoë-risiko omgewing vir die verspreiding van die virus en ons doen alles in ons vermoë om by te dra tot passasiers se veiligheid wanneer hulle ons busse gebruik. Maar ons het nodig dat al ons passasiers, leerders ingesluit, verantwoordelikheid vir hul eie gesondheid en veiligheid neem deur aan die basiese veiligheidsmaatreëls te voldoen,” het hy gesê.

“Maak asseblief seker dat jou kind toegerus is met ‘n behoorlike masker wat die mond sowel as die neus bedek, en dat hulle die maskers aanhou, selfs wanneer hulle met vriende op die bus gesels. Ons verskaf handreiniger op die busse – passasiers moet asseblief hul hande ontsmet wanneer hulle opklim en weer wanneer hulle die bus verlaat.”

Vir meer inligting oor die beste roetes na die onderskeie skole in die dorp, skakel gerus die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044, stuur ‘n e-pos aan info@gogeorge.org.za of besoek www.gogeorge.org.za.

Onderskrif:
Keenan Myners demonstreer hoe maskers gedra moet word sodat die mond sowel as die neus bedek word. Dit is van uiterste belang dat passasiers hul maskers tydens die hele busrit aanhou – alle beskerming is daarmee heen wanneer die masker afgehaal word om met medepassasiers te gesels.

THREE ARRESTED FOR DAMAGING GO GEORGE BUSES

Issued: 3 Feb 2021

Damage to municipal property is serious; it is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record

Three men were arrested by the Pacaltsdorp police last week after stoning a GO GEORGE bus in Delville Park, damaging its back window and resulting in temporary service suspension of the Pacaltsdorp community route. This was one of three incidents of stone throwing at buses on Friday.

Vandalism to GO GEORGE buses and infrastructure has been a major challenge ever since the bus service rolled out and became even worse since the installation of bus shelters with operational information applied on the inside. These, as well as broken glass panels, are being replaced constantly at huge cost to the Municipality.

James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, says people don’t understand the consequences of this kind of behaviour. “We need everybody to realise that malicious damage to municipal property is a very serious matter; it is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record when convicted. The same goes for people throwing stones at the buses – we have had three such incidents last week and five during January alone. Last year, 18 incidents of stone throwing and damage to buses were reported.

“Moreover – instances of vandalism, including stone-throwing, puts the lives of passengers and bus drivers at risk, and inconveniences passengers waiting at shelters, unnecessarily enduring harsh weather conditions (wind and rain) due to shelter damage. These senseless acts of vandalism are costing a fortune to keep replacing and repairing, and for no good reason. In the case of damaged buses, we need to take those vehicles out of service to repair, sometimes for several days, causing delays and capacity problems with fewer buses on route.”

According to Dr Michele Gratz, Acting Municipal Manager, the three men were apprehended by the Municipality’s Rapid Response Unit within minutes after receiving the call and were handed over to the Police. “The Municipality has a zero-tolerance approach to criminality and will work closely with the SAPS to address these matters. Vandals must be warned that every effort will be made to ensure their arrest and successful prosecution.

“We call upon the George community to take hands and help protect GO GEORGE vehicles and municipal infrastructure.  Please report any acts of vandalism and especially help prevent such acts,” she said.

Members of the public are requested to report people tampering with, painting or damaging GO GEORGE infrastructure or buses, while it is taking place and with as much information as possible, by phoning George Municipality Law Enforcement on 044 801 6350 or 044 801 6300 (after hours), or the GO GEORGE Call Centre on 0800 044 044.

CAPTIONS:

Vandalism stone throwing:

Replacing broken bus windows is a very costly exercise and takes buses out of service while being repaired. This puts pressure on the system and schedule, impacting service to passengers.

Drie in hegtenis geneem vir beskadiging van  GO GEORGE-BUSSE

Uitgereik: 3 Feb 2021

Skade aan munisipale eiendom is ernstig; dit is ‘n kriminele oortreding en sal lei tot ‘n kriminele rekord.

Drie mans is verlede week deur die Pacaltsdorp-polisie in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle ‘n GO GEORGE-bus in Delvillepark met klippe gegooi het, die agterste venster beskadig het en tydelike opskorting van die Pacaltsdorp-gemeenskapsroete tot gevolg gehad het. Hierdie was een van drie voorvalle van klipgooiery na busse Vrydag.

Vandalisering van GO GEORGE-busse en -infrastruktuur is ‘n groot uitdaging sedert die busdiens ontplooi is en is selfs erger sedert die installering van busskuilings met operasionele inligting wat aan die binnekant aangebring word. Dit, asook gebreekte glaspanele, word voortdurend teen groot koste aan die munisipaliteit vervang.

James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, sê mense verstaan nie die gevolge van hierdie soort gedrag nie. “Ons het almal nodig om te besef dat kwaadwillige skade aan munisipale eiendom ‘n baie ernstige saak is; dit is ‘n kriminele oortreding en sal lei tot ‘n kriminele rekord wanneer iemand skuldig bevind word. Dieselfde geld vir mense wat klippe na die busse gooi – ons het verlede week drie sulke voorvalle gehad en vyf gedurende Januarie alleen. Verlede jaar is 18 voorvalle van klipgooiery en skade aan busse aangemeld.

“Voorts plaas voorvalle van vandalisme, insluitend klipgooiery, die lewens van passasiers en busbestuurders in gevaar, en verontrief dit passasiers wat weens beskadigde skuilings onaangename weersomstandighede soos wind en reën moet verduur terwyl hulle vir ‘n bus wag. Hierdie sinnelose dade van vandalisme kos ‘n fortuin om aan te hou vervang en herstel. In die geval van beskadigde busse moet ons daardie voertuie uit diens haal om te herstel, soms vir etlike dae, wat vertragings en kapasiteitsprobleme met minder busse op die roete veroorsaak.”

Volgens dr. Michele Gratz, waarnemende munisipale bestuurder, is die drie mans binne minute nadat hulle die oproep ontvang het, deur die munisipaliteit se vinnige-reaksie-eenheid aangekeer en aan die polisie oorhandig. “Die munisipaliteit het ‘n zero-verdraagsaamheidsbenadering tot misdaad en sal nou met die SAPD saamwerk om hierdie sake die hoof te bied. Vandale word gewaarsku dat alles moontlik gedoen sal word om hul inhegtenisneming en suksesvolle vervolging te verseker.

“Ons doen ‘n beroep op die George-gemeenskap om hande te vat en te help om GO GEORGE-voertuie en munisipale infrastruktuur te beskerm.  Meld asseblief enige dade van vandalisme aan en help veral om sulke dade te voorkom,” het sy gesê.

Lede van die publiek word versoek om mense aan te meld wat aan infrastruktuur of busse peuter, dit verf of beskadig, terwyl dit plaasvind en met soveel inligting as moontlik, deur George-munisipaliteit se Wetstoepassingsafdeling by 044 801 6350 of 044 801 6300 (na-ure) te skakel, of die GO GEORGE-inbelsentrum by 0800 044 044.

Byskrifte:

Vandalism stone throwing:

Die vervanging van gebreekte busvensters is ‘n baie duur oefening en neem busse uit diens terwyl dit herstel word. Dit plaas druk op die stelsel en skedule, wat ‘n impak op diens aan passasiers het.