MEC Ismail Vadi welcomes adoption of Gauteng Transport Authority Bill 

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Dr Ismail Vadi, has welcomed the adoption on Friday of the Gauteng Transport Authority Bill by the Provincial Legislature. 

The Bill provides for the creation of a Transport Authority across the Gauteng city region, involving the provincial department of roads and transport and municipal transport administrations. 

Vadi said that this is a “vital step for integrated transport planning and co-ordination of public transport operations across the province”. 

“Over the past four years we’ve worked hard to conceptualise the transport authority, consult municipalities on the structure and study international best practice to get to this point,” he said. 

The Gauteng Transport Authority - once legally established - will co-ordinate the planning, integration and enforcement of public transport operations in the province such as the bus rapid transit, Metrorail, Gautrain and taxi services. 

The Authority is set to transform the current fragmentation of public transport governance and coordinate the management of public transport services. 

“An improved transport system will have a major impact on the lives of Gauteng residents since it is one of the primary means of access to employment, services and social activities," Vadi said.

He added that a better public transport system will lead to less reliance on private vehicle usage by the public. 

Vadi said that the passing of the Bill comes at an opportune time for the Department, following the  launch of the Gauteng Household Travel Survey to sample transport patterns of households provincially. 

"The survey seeks to gather comprehensive data on travel behaviour of commuters and the results will assist us in improving our transport planning and solving transport challenges,” said Vadi. 

The survey results expected in October this year will assist the  Gauteng Transport Authority to plan, build and expand the public transport system and better co-ordinate public transport operations provincially. 

The Gauteng Transport Authority will be responsible for: 

• Integrated transport planning across local and provincial boundaries;

• contracting and management of subsidised transport services; and

• enforcement and regulation of public transport operations.

The Gauteng Transport Authority will be governed by a Board of Directors, which will be broadly representative of the authorities it is co-ordinating and transport specialists.

Enquiries:
Melitah Madiba 
Tel: 011 355 7093