Link, by Mr Jeff Radebe, MP, Minister of Transport, Marlboro, Sandton
28 September 2006
I am deeply honoured to be part of this auspicious occasion. The event today
promises to deliver a huge economic asset for the Gauteng Province and the
country as a whole. There were many hurdles along the way but hard work and
commitment have finally paid off.
The Gautrain project is a response to key transport challenges such as
congestion and public transport and has direct spin-offs for the people of
Gauteng. It is therefore critical that we work together in order to harness the
economic benefits and potential of this asset for the years ahead and in
particular for the 2010 World Cup.
The decision by Cabinet to extend the impact of the original Gautrain
project was based on the notion that transport infrastructure investment
priorities should be linked as closely as possible to current and planned
future patterns of land uses as well as linkages between the transport modes.
The excitement of today will translate into action, activities that will
demonstrate and deliver an integrated public transport system. The role of this
project must be placed within the context of interlinking the various modes and
nodes within the public transport system for economic development.
Where we stand today will soon be a hub of public transport activities
resulting in a centre of inter-modal transfers and commercial activities. It is
one of many milestones along the journey that will bring a world-class rapid
rail system to South Africa for the first time.
This major milestone comes a time when we have also successfully merged the
South Africa Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) and Metrorail. It is therefore
significant to place the Gautrain within the context of the passenger rail
plan, the public transport plan and the integrated transport planning currently
being followed in the country. A range of further actions are being taken to
ensure that the Gautrain is integrated effectively within the passenger rail
system in Gauteng. The Department of Transport is working hand-in-hand with the
Gautrain Rapid Rail Link on several focus areas for operational integration
including:
* network integration
* intermodal integration at transport nodes
* integration of transport nodes with city precincts
* fare integration
* information integration
* integrated communication
* technical integration
* travel demand management.
Completion of construction of the links between Sandton and the OR Tambo
International Airport and Sandton and Midrand is one of our priorities in
relation to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It is planned that services will be
available every 10 minutes and trains will operate more than 15 hours a day for
the World Cup. Extensive door-to-door services by means of dedicated feeder and
distribution bus services will be available at each station as part of this
service. For passengers that travel with vehicles to the stations, safe parking
and adequate facilities to stop and drop off train passengers will be
provided.
The Gautrain project has for instance committed the operator to provide a
network of feeder and distribution services linking various parts of the cities
to the main stations. The stations themselves will provide access arrangements
for other transport modes including parking and drop off facilities for
cars.
A number of existing or planned strategic transport interventions to support
the Gautrain as a key catalyst for public transport transformation are also in
the pipeline. These include:
* Joburg Strategic Public Transport Network: Regina Mundi to Parktown to
Sunninghill
* Joburg Strategic Public Transport Network: East West Route
* Joburg City Business District (CBD) inner city distribution system
* Tshwane CBD inner city distribution system
* Wits regional rail priority corridors including between Joburg and New Canada
in Soweto, Germiston and Katlehong and Joburg to Germiston, Olifantsfontein and
then to Tshwane
* Tshwane regional rail priority corridors including to Mabopane, Mamelodi and
the Pretoria ring rail system
* freeway capacity enhancements with travel demand measures to promote public
transport
* Station development around Gautrain stations as well as other identified
transport nodes e.g. in north of Tshwane.
Through effective operational integration the Gautrain will also act as a
catalyst for the transformation of public transport in Gauteng in general,
whereby the quality of existing services, vehicles and facilities will be
stimulated to improve over time, in response to higher expectations from
travellers linked to improved levels and quality of service experienced on the
Gautrain system and its station nodes.
In addition, the 2010 Public Transport Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) of R3,8
billion will also bring about major improvements within the public transport
system, some of which will be integrated into the Gautrain project.
As we can see, it is simply wrong to confuse the initial narrow concept of
the Gautrain with what we are actually doing today. This project is much
larger, it aims to produce a mass transit system that will take Gauteng long
into the future with buses, taxis, pedestrians and commuter trains operating in
a new context of rationalised subsidisation and route determination hand in
hand with Gautrain.
I am encouraged by the unanimous interest and even the criticism of the
project that emanated from civil society, political parties and communities. A
project of this nature cannot be cast in stone as it was previously. As a
larger picture unfolds over the next few years, particularly as the wider
geographic spread and nodal integration that I have referred to becomes a top
practical priority, we shall see refinements that will improve the project as a
whole.
At the end of the day this is not about elite public transport, but it's
about creating a mass transit system that caters for workers and business
people, civil servants and scholars, shoppers and leisure seekers to get them
where they want to be safely, securely and affordably.
Incidentally, before the end of October the country shall have the
opportunity to see in much greater detail the governments plan in improving the
public transport plan within the broader public transport plan.
In those few words I want to say, the Gautrain project is just but one of
the many milestones that await South Africans end-users in the years ahead.
Viva Gautrain viva!
Malikhale ipiki no fosholo malikhale!
Ngiyabonga!
Issued by: Department of Transport
28 September 2006
Source: SAPA
