B Cele: Launch of provincial Transport Month

2 October 2006

It gives me great pleasure to address the media today marking the official
launch of KwaZulu-Natal Transport Month and I wish to thank you all for
attending. The Transport Month campaign is not just a campaign that will solely
benefit the Department of Transport but it requires a partnership from all role
players in the transport sector, including the media, in ensuring that we all
strive for a common goal of creating a better life for all by making sure that
our programmes, policies and strategies are aimed at defending the weak in all
sectors of transport.

The themes for Transport Month are:

* safety in all modes of transport
* promoting the use of public transport
* improving transport infrastructure
* promoting the use of non-motorised transport.

The Transport Month campaign of 2005 was the beginning of a journey to
position and promote public transport as an effective and efficient mode of
transport. This year's campaign is aimed at accelerating the pace of work that
has been done throughout the year in improving our transport systems.

Last year's media coverage of Transport Month was welcomed by the department
although the media was very strong in emphasizing that government was keen to
promote the use of public transport without having put a proper public
transport infrastructure in place. However most media houses contended that the
message filtered through is that our roads are congested and that the issue of
lift clubs and public transport was the way to go and should be taken
seriously.

As I address the media today, I think it is important to congratulate all
taxi operators who have applied for conversion of permits into operating
licenses. Saturday, 30 September 2006, is a day which marks the deadline of
application for conversion for those operators who did not apply due to reasons
of not their own and were required to provide proper motivation. There will be
no further extension and as the department we are looking forward to a
successful implementation of the Taxi Recapitalisation project in the province
of KwaZulu-Natal.

The Transport Lekgotla held on the 17 and 18 August 2006 took a resolution
that there should be an increased pace in the implementation of the transport
programme of action which includes:

* progress with the Taxi Recap Programme, Rural Transport Strategy and
Freight Logistics Strategy
* turn around strategy for consolidated passenger rail
* adoption of a revamped Road Safety plan.
* approval and implementation of the 2010 transport plan
* discussion of road infrastructure strategic framework for South Africa.

Road safety

We are all aware of the fact that our province is faced with a challenge to
improve levels of road safety and reduce the cost of road carnage. We are not
the department of memorial services; our mandate is to ensure safety of the
people of this province. I urge all motorists and pedestrians to join the
department of transport in our extensive road safety programmes and let us all
say "enough is enough; one death is one too many" and support our slogan "From
zero tolerance to 100% compliance."

As part of our programme for Transport Month in the province we will be
embarking on a school career-guidance programme which is aimed at creating
awareness to learners on departmental programmes and further encouraging
learners to study towards a number of technical careers in transport. These
programmes will be held every Monday during Transport Month.

Our law enforcement activities will also be carried out extensively
targeting all road users, particularly pedestrians. The province will
experience an "Operation Mbo" of the department of transport, where we will
target a city/township and deploy traffic officers in every corner and surely
not even a fly will escape the multi-disciplinary roadblocks.

Transport infrastructure projects

Improvements in transport infrastructure play a vital role in the economic
development of the country particularly as we are setting our targets for 2010
and beyond. On Tuesday, 3 October 2006, which is tomorrow, the national
Minister Jeff Radebe will be joining us in Ulundi for the official opening of
Qwasha River Bridge and road P700. I have said this before and I am saying it
now the department of transport is creating dust in all corners of the province
because we are serious about service delivery. On Saturday, 7 October 2006, the
department of transport will be down at the South Coast to officially open the
first phase of road P68 which forms part of the African Renaissance Roads
Upgrading Programme.

As part of showcasing transport infrastructure development the department
will embark on a "Hands on Day", where senior departmental officials including
the Head of Department and myself will be deployed to road construction and
road maintenance sites in the province. This event will be held on Thursday, 26
October 2006

Public Transport

Public transport forms an integral part of Transport Month. As the
department of transport in KwaZulu-Natal we have set high targets in ensuring
that we change our public transport systems for the better. We have highlighted
the fact that our public transport future and prosperity is integrally tied to
our economy's future and prosperity. As well as emphasising the role of public
transport in the development of communities and the importance of partnerships
between government and civil society in building a reliable transport
system.

The department is currently embarking on public consultation process with
the aim of establishing passenger associations or forums in promoting
partnership between government, commuters and public transport operators. The
department has further set aside of R23 million for driver training. This is
aimed at changing driver behaviour and attitude on the roads to reduce road
carnage and build a good image particularly the image of the taxi industry
which has been dented heavily in the eyes of the public.

During the month of October I will be visiting taxi ranks in order to assess
the conditions and particularly to understand the frustrations and concerns of
commuters during peak hours and beyond. We will also embark on unannounced
visits to service delivery points in assessing whether our Batho Pele
principles are implemented accordingly. As part of our plans to integrate
transport systems, on Monday, 16 October 2006, I will board a train from Umlazi
to Durban station. This is aimed at focusing on customer care services with an
emphasis on reducing train delays, cancellation, punctuality and comfort.

Transport Indaba

On the last day of Transport Month Tuesday, 31 October 2006 the department
will host a Transport Indaba which will be combined with the launch of the
provincial white paper on transport policy. The indaba will involve all
transport stakeholders and members of the public with the aim of promoting
public participation when developing transport policies.

Partnership with Ethekwini Municipality

In conclusion Ethekwini Municipality will be in partnership with our
department to launch 2010 projects that are linked to the transport sector. On
Saturday, 28 October 2006, we will launch the bicycle lanes in Durban together
with the city and further donate bicycles to rural schools for those children
who travel long distances to and from school. The launch will showcase three
levels of cycling – the recreational cycling, professional cycling and commuter
cycling. The event will also be attended by school kids, trading associations,
cycling associations and celebrities. This is aimed at promoting non –motorised
transport as one of our objectives for Transport Month.

I certainly hope that the media will join us in witnessing the true meaning
of service delivery in transport under the theme "Transport the Heartbeat of
South Africa's Economy"

I thank you.

Media contact:
Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252

Issued by: Department of Transport Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
2 October 2006