Gauteng Roads and Transport targets smart mobility to create a sustainable future for all

The State of the Province Address (SOPA), by Honourable Premier David Makhura has provided a comprehensive review of the work that the Department of Roads and Transport has done since the sixth administration took the reigns in our province. 

The SOPA was a dipstick of the status of our public transport system and went further to give signposts, directing us to the priorities that need our urgent intervention.

The Premier’s address was an important scene setter for us as the department. 

The statement also highlighted some of the achievements that have been made in such a short space of time that we have been in office.

Notable from the #SOPA2020, was what the Premier termed “significant work” that has been done in the minibus taxi industry. 

We believe, while challenges in this sector are historical in their nature, we have together with the leadership of the Gauteng Taxi Industry (the South African National Taxi Council and the National Taxi Alliance), achieved tremendous progress in a short space of time.This is due to the solid foundation that has been laid by previous administrations.

As such, we successfully held a two-day Gauteng Provincial Taxi Summit, which will remain a watershed moment in our province’s transport mix.

Held in July 2019, the Summit provided a rare opportunity for all to abandon their natural positions which often lead to stakeholders pointing fingers and allowed us, at the beginning of the term, to rethink how we have been approaching the many problems that face this black-founded industry.

As we are aware of the problems in the taxi industry, with the support of the Premier and the Executive Council, we have established the Commission of Inquiry into Taxi Violence under the stewardship of Justice Jeremiah Shongwe (retired). From the onset we had no illusions about taxi violence, and it is precisely because of that, that we are convinced that without an objective process of understanding the root causes of this murderous phenomenon, we will never solve it.

To this end, we are confident that Justice Shongwe and his team deserve the support of all peace-loving people of our province.

When the Premier sent us to meet with the Competition Commission, we responded. We are fully behind the work of the Commission.

During our deliberations with the Commissioner Mr Thembinkosi Bonakele and his team, we agreed that the devolution of commuter rail services is necessary.

We also agree on the urgent need to integrate all modes of transport. We also came to an understanding that the Gautrain has transformed the space economy of our province.

Research has proven that new investments, especially in the property development sector, have been along the Gautrain rail line.

The Commission’s provisional report on land-based public passenger transport, we believe, shines the light on the weaknesses of our public transport system, especially on the integration of modes of transport.

We believe that for this integration to happen and for it to be efficient, transport planning must be centralised, hence we have appointed Mr Jack van der Merwe to be the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Transport Authority of Gauteng.

This entity will help us maintain a single view of all modes of transport in our province and allow us to plan and budget appropriately for a transport system that makes for a smart movement of people and services efficient.

We have termed this concept, Growing Gauteng Together Through Smart Mobility. In this regard Smart Mobility will be at the core of our economy if we are to Grow Gauteng Together into the inland hub of freight and logistics for South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the continent.

It is for this reason that in our pipeline we will be building the road network that will support such economic game changers such as the Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway, Vaal River City, Lanseria, the new Special Economic Zones, new cities, new mega human settlements and existing townships.

As the smallest province in the country we believe that Gauteng has to be smart in addressing problems that include, congestion, pollution and road fatalities.

Our roads are responsible for the deaths of an average of eight people per day. This is unacceptable. We are however not folding our arms in this state of crisis.

Over the past seven months we have been engaging with various categories of road users with a view of influencing a change in the road use culture.

We have met with freight, bus, minibus taxi, cycling and motorcycling communities over the past seven months.

From our engagements with these important stakeholders, it is clear: something is wrong with road users’ attitude towards sharing the road infrastructure. In the next few weeks we will be revealing our Smart Mobility Road Safety Campaign, through which we want to reach out to communities across the spectrum, black or white, old or young, rich or poor, road safety begins with you.

Enquiries:
Melitah Madiba
Cell: 073 644 9935

Theo Nkonki  
Cell: 082 719 6404

E-mail: PressOffice.gpdrt@gauteng.gov.za

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