The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Mr Bheki Nkosi will join the national Minister of Transport Mr Sibusiso Ndebele, Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin, provincial MECs of Transport and stakeholders in launching the October Transport Month campaign on 30 September 2009 at the Johannesburg Park Station.
The October Transport Month campaign is a national initiative that seeks to profile public transport services, highlight socio-economic and environmental benefits from the use of public transport and informing the public about measures to reduce congestion on the roads.
Themed ‘Safety in all modes of Transport: System readiness for 2010, Sisonke siyaphambili akujiki’, the campaign will be focusing on the user, operator and infrastructure in ensuring safety of commuters.
The national department and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will also launch the mobile police station coach to be used on the Shosholoza Meyl rail service during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The coach will be used to ensure the safety of the long distance passenger rail service and soccer loving people.
The MEC will also lead a delegation comprising members of Mayoral Committee responsible for transport, executive mayors and other dignitaries on a tour to the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s Gauteng Freeway Improvement Programme at the N1 Allandale off-ramp in Midrand. They will also visit the Network Management Centre where the intelligent traffic system (ITS) is being operated
Programme for the month of October:
* Activities: The national official launch of the October Transport Month (OTM) (Johannesburg station)
* Objectives: The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport will jointly launch the OTM with the National Department of Transport (NDoT).
* Timelines: 30 September 2009
* Activities: Site visit to South African national roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)
* Objectives: The Gauteng freeway improvement plan (GFIP) design commenced on November 2006 and involves construction of 186 kilometres of road, and it is envisaged that it will be completed by 2010. The temporary inconvenience that has arisen as a result of this programme will in the long run give way to new and better freeways and roads. The OTM should celebrate the progress that has been made thus far and commitment should be made in continuing this private public partnership for future infrastructural development.
Walk about with identified stakeholders to the control centre in Midrand and Allandale road link (freeway upgrade)
* Timeline: 30 September 2009
* Activities: Scrapping site of recapped taxis
* Objectives: Delegates led by the MEC will visit Germiston centre to witness progress made so far.
* Timeline: 5 October 2009
* Activities: Launch of the Driving License Testing Centres (DLTC’s) (Kagiso-West rand and Xavier)
* Objectives: Signing of a lease agreement with the land lord in Kagiso, West Rand and visit to Xavier in Johannesburg
* Timeline: 8 October 2009
* Activities: Launch of the DLTC’s (Sedibeng) Three Rivers
* Objectives: To showcase the new improved driver testing and licensing centres at Three Rivers DLTC–Sedibeng
- to promote efficiency in bookings and reduce fraud and corruption in testing centres.
* Timeline: 8 October 2009
* Activities: Launch of Roads Safety project at schools (Tshwane) together with 3M Company
* Objectives: The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has entered into an agreement with 3M Company to assist in launching the roads safety and scholar patrol project in Tshwane schools. Training all coordinators to ensure sustainability of the projects
Identified schools will participate
Competition on roads safety will be done
Partnership with parents and educators
* Timeline: 16 October 2009
* Activities: Car free day
* Objectives: The people of Gauteng will be encouraged to leave their cars at their respective homes and form lift clubs and use public transport.
Motorists in Johannesburg will be encouraged to use Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses operating in their areas.
* Timeline: 20 October 2009
* Activities: K15 completion and handing over of pedestrian bridge and walk-ways
* Objectives: The community of Zandspruit and the surrounding areas will benefit from the project and the MEC will be handing over the project to the community.
* Timeline: 22 October 2009
*Activities: K29 completion and handing over of pedestrians walk way
*Objectives: The community of Zandspruit and the surrounding areas will benefit from the project and the MEC will be handing over the project to the communities
*Timeline: 22 October 2009
*Activities: Launch of the upgraded Nasrec station
*Objectives: Mobile inspection will focus on infrastructure (tracking and signalling)
*Timeline: 27 October 2009
*Activities: Launch of the BRT station design in partnership with City of Tshwane
*Objectives: The showcase will involve graphic animation of the designs.
*Timeline: 28 October 2009
*Activities: Launch of the BRT station design in partnership with City of Tshwane
*Objectives: The breakfast is meant to introduce the BRT to key strategic partners, articulate the vision and mission of the department. Address partners and potential partners on key projects and provide a wide range of projects and services offered by the DRT with the aim of soliciting investors and possible partners. The venue will be secured in Soweto.
Gautrain
Milestones achieved to date and visit to Nigel carrier coaches.
*Timeline: 30 October 2009
*Activities: Train ride–East Rand to Johannesburg station
*Objectives: To demonstrate the dire state of infrastructure and security challenges
* Timelines: To be continued (linked to NDoT)
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 September 2009
Source: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government
(http://www.transportandpublicworks.gpg.gov.za/)
