A Steering Committee chaired by Director-General of Transport George Mahlalela held its first in a series of meetings today to discuss solutions to the public transport challenges facing Gauteng. If successfully implemented in Gauteng, the recommendations of the Steering Committee would serve as a model to unlock public transport solutions for the rest of the country.
Minister of Transport Sibusiso Ndebele is leading a growing chorus in government which believes that while long-term solutions are being rolled out, immediate remedial solutions will go a long way in easing the lives of frustrated commuters around our major centres. The Steering Committee meetings are part of efforts to address challenges facing the country on e-tolling and the transformation of the country's public transport.
Following an outcry over the e-tolling announced by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) last month, Ndebele entered the fray and together with Gauteng leaders suspended the proposed tariffs. An inclusive consultation process has been unveiled with the objective of settling broader questions relating to delivery and funding transport infrastructure in South Africa.
Led by the National Department of Transport, the Gauteng Public Transport Steering Committee comprises representatives of the National Department of Transport, the Gauteng Department of Transport, Gauteng Office of the Premier. It will include the City of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Metros, Sanral, Prasa and Gautrain Management. Other key members are Santaco, South African Bus Operators Association (SABOA), political formations, organised labour, organised business, commuter organisations and any other relevant stakeholders.
The Steering Committee is working under strict deadlines and must report back to a political team consisting of Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, MEC for Transport Ismail Vadi and Minister Ndebele before the end of March.
"The next ten years are critical for the transformation of our public transport system. Most of our urban centres require innovative sustained, efficient and affordable public transport systems," said Minister Ndebele. "While we accept that solving our public transport system will take many years, we must find short-term remedial measures which will improve the situation," he said.
Minister Ndebele and Premier Mokonyane have agreed to find short-term remedial and relief measures to public transport in Gauteng. This includes increasing the fleet of buses, taxis and coaches on critical routes, developing a compact for coordination between taxi, bus and rail operators.
Ndebele said it was necessary to improve commuter information systems and to introduce other creative short-term solutions. These included dedicated lanes for public transport vehicles and for private vehicles carrying 3 or more passengers, the so-called High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes (HOV Lanes). Engagement on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project tolling would continue. The Gautrain Management would market the planned launch of the Gautrain commuter route between Johannesburg and Tshwane and its feeder systems.
There would be continued communication and stakeholder management with the public by all government. The Steering Committee must produce clear public transport solutions for Gauteng and also present a clear financial solution or model to the e-tolling debate in the Gauteng area.
"The probing and pertinent questions asked by our people about public transport over the past couple of weeks in Gauteng are questions to which all of us must find answers. The answers will not come from government alone, but must be generated and owned by all the people of Gauteng and the people of South Africa," said Ndebele.
"We have no doubt that we will find not only appropriate solutions but ones that will transform our approach to the delivery of transport infrastructure in South Africa," said Ndebele.
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