event by Jeff Radebe, Minister of Transport
28 September 2007
Two weeks ago, I was at La Mercy for the sod turning of the new airport and
it is a great pleasure to be back again in this province at yet another sod
turning event which demonstrates our government's commitment to transform not
only our transport system but the way of leaving for our people.
As we turn the sod to begin construction on this latest piece of rail
infrastructure, it is a good moment to reflect on what we are achieving with
all of this construction work and what it will mean particularly for the future
of eThekwini Municipality and its people.
Programme Director, it seems to me that this R5 billion Bridge City
initiative is another important step on the road to deliver a true better life
for the people of eThekwini. When this centre is completed, townships such as
Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu will enjoy the benefits of a better
public transport system, increased access to economic opportunities and job
creation.
Distinguished guests, as the transport family we had no choice but to ensure
that we complement this excellent initiative by establishing a grand public
transport system in and around the Bridge City precinct particularly as part of
our National Passenger Rail Plan. I am therefore pleased to announce that
through South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC), the transport family
will invest more than R350 million on the underground Bridge City rail station
and the rail extension that will serve 40 000 commuters per day and handle 14
000 passengers in peak hours. And more than R350 million is being invested on
the new roads, road upgrades and public amenities within and surrounding the
Bridge City precinct to further augment the R750 million shopping mall within
this precinct. As we turn the sod today, the construction of the station will
commence as a matter of urgency to ensure that we meet our 2009 deadline.
Good quality facilities of the type envisaged will attract more users to
public transport. We therefore believe that, once complete, this station will
help deliver many social, economic and environmental benefits to all who use it
- benefits, which will be, felt both locally and nationally.
We believe that our rail initiative will reduce journey times and give
greater journey time certainty to all those travelling to the Bridge City
centre. But it will also add extra capacity to cater for future growth in the
northern corridor.
Programme Director, as we are all aware that the Bridge City initiative is a
government supported project and a Presidential led initiative, it comes as no
surprise that some of its attractive features will consist of the shopping
centre as well as more than 1 000 residential units over the station,
magistrate's court and a State hospital. It will indeed play a major role as a
catalyst for economic growth and integration of local communities and create
more than 60 000 job opportunities. This is in line with our Accelerated and
Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) initiative that is aimed at
halving unemployment and poverty by 2014 countrywide.
As the Department of Transport we therefore want to ensure that we create a
public transport network that will promote regional and national economic
competitiveness. Allowing people to access economic opportunities is one major
benefit in investing in our passenger rail infrastructure by ensuring that we
deliver:
* safer passenger rail network
* more reliable and predictable journey time between and among the townships
and city
* higher quality of life to the people who live in the bypassed towns and
villages along the route.
While this work is going on, another piece of the jigsaw is well underway.
The beneficial impact of the increased investment in the passenger rail is
increasingly evident throughout the country.
Work is currently underway on a number of rail projects as part of the
National Passenger Rail Plan. The proof of this government's commitment to
delivery is there for everyone to see, in such passenger rail projects of a
scale and quality we could not have dreamed of even ten years ago. We have a
buoyant economy. We have an economy that is working and a country that is at
work and as a result, many people on the move. For the first time ever, our
Passenger Rail Plan will improve our competitiveness, promote more balanced
regional development and improve the quality of life for all our citizens.
The SARCC has hit the ground running in the implementation of this plan. Our
budget allocation for passenger rail is at all time high with more than R10
billion for the next three years. We will use this money to upgrade our rolling
stock and infrastructure over the next three years. Our plan is to ensure that
by 2010, there is a train available every five minutes during peak periods. We
want to ensure that train services are available for at least 14 to 16 hours a
day. Investment in operations will also take over R6 billion during the same
period.
As part of our National Rail Passenger plan, we have prioritised the North
to South corridor that links Isipingo-Umlazi and KwaMashu, and the Bridge City
is indeed part of this initiative. We are also upgrading a number of stations
and track improvements in and around the eThekwini region. This would include
the Reunion station as well as stations between Durban and KwaMashu.
The government is fully committed to maintaining investment in transport
infrastructure and services at a high level and to fully implement its plan.
This investment will maintain the pace and momentum of the Rail Plan built up
over the last number of years.
Not only is the passenger rail being transformed so is the way in which
public transport projects are being delivered.
* R9,2 billion worth of public transport infrastructure for the 2010 soccer
world cup
* R19,5 billion worth of airports development is underway including the
building of the new Airport at La Mercy worth R7 billion
* R63 billion for roads over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
period.
A majority of our projects are being delivered on time and in budget. We are
quiet confident that this Bridge City rail initiative is also joining this
list. The sod turning today is vital for the ongoing growth and development in
this particular region.
I would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank all involved in this
project, SARCC, Crowie projects, Intersite, Hullet, eThekwini Municipality and
the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport I wish you and those who will be
working on the site well in bringing the project to a successful
conclusion.
Viva Bridge City Shopping Centre Viva!
I thank you for your attention!
For more information contact:
Pule Mabe
South African Rail Commuter Corporation
Cell: 082 569 7335
Issued by: Department of Transport
28 September 2007
Source: SAPA
