The Eastern Cape Department of Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu will officially re-launch TransMEC and launch the Integrated Public Transport Master Plan development project on Friday 21 October 2011 in Molteno at 9h00.
TransMEC is a structure, which aims to improve co-ordination and lines of communication which was developed by the department and approved by the Executive Council (ExCO) of the Provincial Government of the Eastern Cape in June 2006. In terms of the National Land Transport Act, No 9 of 2009 (NLTA), the MEC must coordinate transport initiatives with municipalities, and other stakeholders in the transport field by establishing coordinating structures or by other methods.
Having originally been launched together with its supporting structures by the then Transport MEC Mr T Mhlahlo on 24 July 2007, TransMEC is a political structure with the MEC for Transport as chairperson and will include political representatives from District Municipalities, the Metropolitan Municipalities and King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality.
“These structures are not meant to duplicate already existing or legislative structures but to complement and integrate such structures,” says MEC Marawu.
The event will also see the Inauguration of the Provincial Regulatory Entity.
Provincial Regulatory Entity’s is a body that was set-up by the MEC and will be taking over the functions that were previously conducted by the Operating Licensing Board in the province and its functions include:
- monitor and oversee public transport in the province;
- receive and decide on applications relating to operating licences for intraprovincial transport in areas where no designated planning authority exists
MEC Marawu will also launch the Integrated Public Transport Master Plan for the province with the objective of improving the mobility of people who use buses, taxis and trains.
The purpose of the plan is to address the unique needs of the province, while simultaneously improving linkages between public transport networks, including rail and road-based transportation.
“This plan will serve as our compass moving forward, especially with regard to future public transport systems planning, funding, infrastructure development and operations. We believe that through this plan, we can improve connectivity among our people,” says MEC Marawu.
The new approach will enable the province to contribute in the countrywide re-engineering of public transport, which seeks to, among others:
- Create integrated public transport systems in appropriate urban areas where population density can make such systems more viable
- Corporatise the taxi industry to improve access for the people, especially the vulnerable groups (disabled and elderly) to safe, reliable and affordable public transport
- Reposition public transport to contribute in rural development as a priority of government in order to improve access to economic opportunities and essential services for our people.
The ultimate goal of the Master Plan is to have a reliable and affordable public transport system that satisfies the needs of the people in the province as well as visitors and tourists, with published timetables for scheduled services which operate from improved facilities at bus terminus, taxi ranks and train stations.
Lastly MEC Marawu will launch the “Qhuba Mntomtsha Uphuhle” learner driver development project.
Targeting learners in grade 10 and 11, the project is developed as a skills development initiative to promote high level skills needed for further growth and is intended to facilitate and promote Traffic Safety knowledge in order to change the behavior and attitude of young learners on the road and to instill a culture of safe traffic participation
The project is intended for young people particularly those from disadvantaged communities, as they have limited access to driving lessons and Road safety education whilst at school, as a result of that when they graduate after grade 12 chances of employment are delayed and limited due to lack of driver’s license.
