Stability is a necessity in the public transport sector, says Committee
The Portfolio Committee on Transport has voiced satisfaction with operations at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) and the Mamelodi bus service.
The Committee called on stakeholders in the public transport sector to ensure stability in the sector, as hiccups will not benefit anyone. The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, said the Committee was assured that there was stability at Prasa, and that the air had been cleared on locomotives and coaches.
“The most talked about trains are trial trains and are first being tested here in South Africa. Autopac is doing well in Mamelodi; an assurance had been given that 72 busses travel between 04h00 and 07h00 on weekdays. Customer satisfaction is quite high, and prices are affordable. This is crucial in a sector tasked with linking South Africa’s poor working class to economic opportunities.
“Public transport is the backbone of any economy in both the developed and developing worlds. The Committee believes that a safe, stable and efficient integrated public transport system is essential, especially if the country is to overcome the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality,” Ms Magadzi said.
“This is the reason government is focusing on infrastructure development to ensure people accessed opportunities. The reality is that many South Africans stayed in the periphery of economic activity and require reliable transport every day. Over two million South Africans depend on rail for transportation to and from work,” she said.
The Committee concluded its two-day visit to Gauteng where it visited projects operated by the Prasa, but also visited Mamelodi, which had recently seen violence directed at the buses operating in the area.
Ms Magadzi said the Committee cannot tolerate a situation where service to the people is deliberately hijacked by those who focus on gain and personal enrichment. She said the Committee will get a briefing on Prasa soon.
Enquiries:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
Email: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
