Lekgotla
21 August 2006
The Transport Lekgotla started yesterday and concludes today. It was
attended by me, transport MECs and some of the Community Safety and Security
MECs, chairpersons of transport agencies, the director-general and heads of
provincial Transport departments and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of
transport agencies and senior officials from the national departments,
provincial departments and metro councils Transport Sector Training Authority.
The Lekgotla reviewed progress in implementing the Transport Programme of
Action in order to identify and address bottlenecks that hamper service
delivery and reflected on strategic issues arising out of detailed reports
tabled at the Lekgotla. This statement highlights the key themes discussed by
the Lekgotla:
* progress with the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, Rural Transport
Strategy and Freight Logistics Strategy
* turnaround strategy for consolidated passenger rail
* adoption of a revamped Road Safety Plan
* approval and implementation of the 2010 transport plan
* discussion on the Road Infrastructure Strategic Framework for South
Africa.
The deliberations and decisions of the Lekgotla will inform an increased
pace in the implementation of the transport programme of action. Lekgotla also
noted major progress achieved in the implementation of the Taxi
Recapitalisation programme. Lekgotla congratulated the 98 percent taxi
operators who have already applied for conversion of permits to operating
licenses. It was also noted that it was important to bring closure to the
process of conversion.
Lekgotla took a decision to allow a few taxi operators who have not applied
due to reasons of their own to bring their applications with proper motivation
before or on 30 September 2006. Taxi operators are once again urged to take
full advantage of this opportunity. Lekgotla also noted the progress being made
by the Siyazi Consortium Scrapping Agency in finalising the setting up of
scrapping facilities and infrastructure across the country. A decision was
taken that the scrapping of old taxi vehicles will begin during the Transport
Month in October this year.
Provinces have also identified vehicle testing centres for conducting
roadworthy testing of the old taxi vehicles as part of the scrapping
administration agency. The Lekgotla took a decision that old taxi vehicles
found to be unroadworthy at these voluntary testing centres (VTCs) will be
forwarded to the nearest scrapping agency facility and owners will be advised
to apply for the scrapping allowance.
Lekgotla noted that the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and
National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) in
close co-operation with the department are fast tracking the process of
certification of New Taxi Vehicles meeting the safety requirements. Lekgotla
took a decision that new taxi vehicles will be introduced in September 2006.
Lekgotla approved that all mini- and midi-bus taxis in South Africa will be
colour-coded and will carry specific markings to assist both commuters and
traffic safety enforcement officials to identify taxis. White has been selected
as the colour for the chassis, based on safety and visibility considerations.
Consultations with the industry and manufacturers also revealed overwhelming
support for the colour white.
We have also agreed that the South African identity of our taxi fleet is
best assured with the incorporation of our National Flag in the colour scheme
of the taxis, pending consultations with the Department of Arts and Culture on
how best this can be achieved. We mustn't forget that the National Flag is a
national symbol that must be respected.
2010 Action Agenda
Lekgotla reviewed progress regarding transport preparations for the 2010
Soccer World Cup. Lekgotla approved the 2010 Action Agenda for the Public
Transport Infrastructure development. R3,8 billion has been set aside for this
purpose and is meant to leverage other funds available to develop public
transport infrastructure. Lekgotla approved:
* R1,6 billion being spent on the capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects for
2010
* R200 million on Intelligent Transport Systems
* R700 million on new and improved bus and taxi infrastructure
* R144 million on new intermodal interchanges and facilities
* R109 million on Non-motorised Transport Infrastructure Projects
Lekgotla also noted that the Department of Transport has already established
a world cup office structure to oversee the implementation of the Action
Agenda. As well as the appointment of the monitoring and evaluation panel to
monitor and evaluate all Public Transport Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) projects,
road safety
Lekgotla approved the Road Safety Strategy which consists of a number of
comprehensive but drastic steps to improve the levels of road safety and
reducing the cost of road carnage to the economy. There will be intensified
enforcement on public transport, pedestrians and cyclists.
An investigation will soon be finalised to declare traffic enforcement an
essential service to enable officers to work during evenings and weekends, when
most crashes occur and extra traffic enforcement personnel will be employed to
improve visibility of officers. A system of traffic infringement management
which includes a points merit and demerit system, a system of driver
re-training and testing after serious crashes or repeat violations will be
introduced as a mechanism to deal with lawlessness on our roads and reducing
road fatalities.
The administrative adjudication of road traffic offences will be piloted in
Tshwane in January 2007, which will include the points demerit system. The
Special Investigation Unit will also continue with its investigation of
fraudulently issued drivers� licences to reduce levels of corruption in the
testing centres.
Freight Logistics
With the implementation of the National Freight Logistics Strategy, Lekgotla
noted the following progress on the implementation of the Strategy:
Durban - Gauteng Corridor:
* the development of Durban Freight Plan
* the second phase of the establishment of the Harrismith Freight Hub
* the future and possible role of the Cato Ridge Handling Facility.
Gauteng - Cape Town:
* the finalisation of the Western Cape Databank
* the finalisation of the Cape Town Freight Metropolitan Study.
Gauteng - Maputo Corridor:
* appointment of Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI) as the
secretariat of the provincial corridor forum
* establishment of task teams
* launch of the corridor forum in Maputo on 18 April 2006.
Other than the implementation of corridors, the department is also going to
be rolling out three key projects on Track and Trace, Freight Intelligence
Framework and the National Freight Information System for the consolidation of
freight statistics in the country into one single source.
Passenger rail plan
The transport Lekgotla received a detailed briefing on the state of
passenger rail and the challenges in the aftermath of the merger of Metrorail
and the South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) on 1 May 2006.
Investment to address the rolling stock availability and ageing infrastructure
is the single most important challenge. Transport Lekgotla resolved to
accelerate the implementation of the turnaround plan over a two year period. It
will focus on customer service with emphasis on reducing train delays,
cancellations, punctuality and comfort. Safety and security through the rollout
of the police service and the rail service as well as rationalising security
services rendered by private security companies. Approved projects to upgrade
stations and provide for additional rolling stock to meet 2010 requirements and
challenges were also discussed with accelerated implementation.
Road Infrastructure Framework
The Lekgotla approved the submission to Cabinet of the Road Infrastructure
Framework that aims to consolidate all aspects of road planning, construction
and maintenance across all spheres of government. The framework includes
proposals to reclassify the entire road system where the emphasis will be on
strategic economic roles and function. It also allows for a more rational
definition of the roles and responsibilities of the different spheres of
government.
Public Transport
Lekgotla noted a public transport system that integrates all modes including
buses, taxis, metered taxis and rail as well as the transformation of the
current commuter based transport system to a safe, reliable and efficient
public transport system that meets the requirements of the user.
Enquiries:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Issued by: Department of Transport
21 August 2006
Source: Department of Transport (http://www.transport.gov.za)
