(Ready to experience
the first Connect031 are from the far back on the bus Sadick Wohabally (Copper
Sunset, Peoples Mover Bus Driver), standing upright on the front left is
Jabulani Khanyile (Chef at Durban Burger Co.), Khutso Masethe (Managing
Director at Durban Burger Co.), Lara Koopman (Co-owner at Open Plan Studios)
and front row, leaning on the bus stop stand are Sphephelo Mnguni (Street
Artist), Shoneeze Franks (GO!Durban Marketing Manager) and far right is Kevin
Ngwenya AKA Kev7 (Graffiti Artist).
Night Looping Bus Service June 7, 2018 - First Thursdays in
Durban
As the eThekwini Municipality endeavours to upgrade public
transport, a looping night bus service for patrons to First Thursdays events in
Glenwood and Station Drive and Florida Road in Morningside, will be tested out
as a case-study on June 7, 2018.
This night service, Connect031, powered by GO!Durban, is
part of the eThekwini Transport Authority’s pilot programme to research demand
and uptake for public transport to help support the economy that surrounds the
activation of arts and culture and local lifestyle venues that host special
events and late night trading on the first Thursday of the month.
Connect031 will be in operation on June 7 starting from
18h00 at the KZNSA Gallery, in Glenwood and at Station Drive in Morningside,
stopping at Kauai (near the old Spiga) and at the Gin Gallery in Florida Road.
The bus leaves every half hour from KZNSA and Station Drive, with the last bus
departing at 22h30.
“We are delighted to be able to test the viability of a
night looping service which will help to identify the need for public transport
for established and linked venues and events, ahead of the introduction of
GO!Durban,” says Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority, Thami Manyathi. “We
know that Station Drive has a challenge with parking, and this service may help
alleviate that by decentralising the parking – and making the other venues
available to patrons. We are also hoping that this provides us with a best
practice case-study for future night and looping services for other major City
events. But most importantly we need to understand how transport can be a
driver or catalyst for these kinds of SMME economic activities.”
First Thursdays at the KZNSA Gallery begins at 16h00 with
the Urban Futures Centre and KZNSA LAB talk entitled Staring at Walls, Art in Public Space. Well-known street artist
Ewok will be talking about the role of street art in creating a vibrant city,
and taking visitors on a curated tour of some of Glenwood's most notable street
artwork.
The Main and Mezzanine Galleries feature a solo exhibition
by Andries Gouws entitled Vertoef/Linger
and the Park Gallery features local art available to purchase. Music this month
features Reverie, a jazz duo providing a laid-back vibe. There is local
shopping at the KZNSA Shop as well as an Arts Cafe special menu to suit all
pockets from 17h00 to 20h00.
Then Station Drive, Durban’s busy design district, starts
gearing up at 18h00 with extended opening hours for the studios, venues and
retail shops that will host special events. There is also a range of artisan
foods, drinks, arts, craft, music offering something for everyone including
children. Amongst many offerings there is a 3D printing demo and exhibition by
The Makerspace at their new premises at the Artisan Studios, salsa dancing at
The Plant, Momenti artisan gelato and vegan sorbets at the Warehouse, walk-in
tattoos at Lightship Tattoo, a group exhibition at the African Art Centre,
awesome shopping at The Exchange and the Vans Roots Up DJ collective at the
S43; and Distillery031 will be open until late. On the street will be a street
food extravaganza with 10 of Durban’s best food trucks, crowd participation
murals, the Poison City open mic and a bonfire under the stars, and more.
The Florida Road Precinct provides a welcome stop off at the
various eateries, bars and nightspots. The Firehouse, features an “Improv and
Pizza” evening offering opportunities for artists of any genre to “do their
thing” and at The Big Box HQ and Skyline Coffee Roasters Platform in Gordon
Road, there are art happenings with live music.
The cost to hop on Connect031 is R30 for a night pass, and
R15 for one journey. Commuters can use their usual MUVO smartcard, or pay with
cash on the bus.
For more info about the service go to www.godurban.co.za or
like the Facebook page. The Station Drive Precinct and KZNSA Gallery also have
detailed information on their Facebook pages.
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