The Provincial Integrated Public Transport Master Plan (PIPTMP) for the Eastern Cape is entering the second phase of preparation.
The Master Plan is being prepared by the Eastern Cape department of Transport and aims to improve the mobility of people in the Eastern Cape by planning for a highly efficient public transport service for the entire province.
It seeks to lay a roadmap that will transform public transport in the Eastern Cape and lead to the integration of bus, taxi and train services for the benefit of all public transport users.
The first phase of preparation has focussed on the collection of data and confirmation of the challenges faced by providers and users of the existing public transport system.
Two stakeholder committee meetings have been held in East London and Mthatha with various stakeholders, including taxi, bus and train operators, local and district municipal officials, labour organisations, the business community, users of public transport and the disabled community. District transport forums have been mobilised within the six districts of the Eastern Cape to facilitate discussion regarding the state of public transport services and infrastructure in each district.
The major issues identified at the various meetings include long waiting times for public transport, poor service in rural areas due to bad roads, difficulties faced by women and disabled passengers and operating licence issues. Additionally, regular meetings are being held with the Eastern Cape Bus and Taxi business chamber to discuss their participation in the PIPTMP.
The number of passengers using public transport in the Eastern Cape is being estimated from the Integrated Transport Plans of the various District Municipalities, surveys conducted at taxi ranks across the province, and bus passenger records. This data collection will be completed in early May.
The second phase of the project is to determine the demand for public transport and prepare a concept strategy for public transport in the province. A computer generated model of public transport in the Eastern Cape is being prepared to understand current public transport patterns and to estimate the number of people that still need to be served by public transport. The concept strategy will consider how best to integrate bus, taxi and train public transport services to the benefit of public transport users and operators.
The concept strategy will be discussed at the next stakeholder committee meeting that is scheduled to take place in East London on 30 May 2012 at the NG Church in Gonubie. All interested and affected parties are requested to attend this meeting and give their input for inclusion in the Concept Strategy document, which will inform the preparation of the actual Master Plan.
During her recent Policy speech on 23 March 2012, MEC Thandiswa Marawu reiterated the commitment of the Eastern Cape department of Transport to promote integrated public transport in the Province that will ensure improved access for all transport users to safe, reliable and affordable public transport. The MEC once again called on all citizens of the Eastern Cape to actively participate in the process of preparing the PIPTMP.
For additional information about the PIPTMP and stakeholder meetings contact:
N Kumbaca
Cell: 082 562 6023
E-mail: ncedo.kumbaca@dot.ecprov.gov.za
A Soko
Tel: 043 604 7426
E-mail: al.soko@dot.ecprov.gov.za
