Programme Director,
Your Excellency the President of the UITP,
Honorable MEC Ismail Vadi,
Members of the Mayoral Committee,
President of the United Association of Public Transport, Mr Jack van der Merwe,
Distinguished delegates from various countries,
Representatives of public transport operators and associations,
Ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of our government and people, I wish to welcome all delegates.
We meet here today at a time when African countries continue with efforts to improve public transport as one of the critical inputs to economic growth and social development.
This conference takes place under the theme ‘Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a sustainable solution for mobility in Africa and the developing world". The choice of the theme confirms that Africa is beginning to look for solutions that are suitable to address the practical challenges of providing a safe and reliable public transport.
Economic and social benefit
There is no doubt that an effective transport system is a pillar of growth and development in Africa. Other sectors of the economy such as agriculture, mining and tourism also depend on transport.
A safe and reliable public transport infrastructure is needed to promote the productivity and competitiveness of countries. High costs and tariffs associated with poor transport infrastructure are some of the reasons why developing countries continue to lag behind the developed world.
Policy problem
The challenges facing us include the lack of adequate public transport infrastructure in both metropolitan and rural areas. This is further exacerbated by the absence of an integrated public transport system to create synergy between various modes of public transport.
In addition to economic considerations, efforts to improve public transport should also include the safety and security of passengers and freight.
South African experience
South Africa has identified the need to upgrade public transport infrastructure as one of its economic and social policy priorities. The 2010 FIFA World Cup also stimulated significant investments in infrastructure.
The introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit system in Johannesburg and Cape Town has proven to be a significant intervention to reduce the time it takes people to travel from one area to another. This has benefited many workers who reside distance away from their places of work.
The South African model has been made possible by the involvement of taxi operators as shareholders in the BRT system. More work is still needed to fully integrate bus and taxi operators, and this will include further capacity building in the taxi industry.
Informed by the lessons learnt from the initial BRT implementation in the two cities, we are extending the rollout of the BRT system to other cities and towns across the country.
Integrated public transport planning
There is a need for an integrated approach to public transport. Creating synergy between roads and rail transport thus becomes important.
The revitalisation of the rail infrastructure across Africa will address the colonial spatial development, while at the same time, establishing new networks between countries. Regional integration will depend to a degree on the harmonised transport infrastructure networks between and within countries.
Stakeholder participation
Addressing the challenges before us requires collaboration between all key role players within and between countries. At the country level, this means partnerships between the different spheres of government, the bus and taxi operators, and the general public.
At the regional and continental levels, there is a lot that countries can learn from each other. We therefore need to strengthen regional and continental coordination through multilateral and multi-stakeholder platforms.
The existence of organisations such as the UATP which brings together governmental and non-governmental participants is important as it creates a platform for sharing lessons and experience, and for peer review.
UATP also provide a platform for African countries to speak and act in unity, as they engage with their counter parts across the globe.
South Africa is fully committed to strengthen partnerships with other African countries through organizations like the UATP, and as part of the initiatives of the African Union (AU) and Nepad.
I trust that your deliberations will add more impetus to the work of the AU and the various regional economic communities throughout Africa.
Given the mandate bestowed on President Jacob Zuma by the AU to champion infrastructure development on the continent, we will follow the proceedings of this conference with keen interest.
I wish you success in your deliberations.
Thank you!
