Committee Chairperson extends condolences to family of victim of fatal train crash and hosts two day summit to address rail safety issues
Chairperson of the Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Roads and Transport, Honourable Jacob Khawe, is saddened by the death of a commuter in a recent fatal train accident that left over 200 commuters critically injured.
Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Hon. Khawe extended sympathies to the family of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The Committee which exercises oversight and scrutiny over the Roads and Transport sector in Gauteng is extremely concerned about the safety, reliability and efficiency of the public rail system in the Province.
Of even greater concern is the occurrence of this tragic accident during Transport Month, which is aimed at promoting the use of public transport and advancing the country’s road safety initiatives.
Hon. Khawe said more needed to be done to provide the people of Gauteng with a safe, reliable and efficient transport system and that the Committee supports and welcomes the establishment of a committee of inquiry set up by Metrorail to investigate the exact cause of the accident.
“As part of the Committee’s intervention to bring about safety, reliability and efficiency to our public transport system, particularly in our rail system, the Committee will host a two-day Rail Summit under the theme: Mordernisation of Public Transport for Reliable use”, he continued.
The summit will bring together organized formations of the Rail Transport Sector, i.e. Rail Safety Regulator, Rapid Rail Unit, United Commuters Voice, Prasa/ Metrorail, Department of Community Safety, Transnet Freight Rail, and Department of Roads & Transport to discuss, report and propose regulations to come out with possible approaches to improve rail transport.
The Rail Summit will take place as follows:
Date (Day 1): Friday, 28 October 2016
Time: 10h00 to 15h00
Venue: Protea Hotel, Parktonian, 120 De Korte St, Braamfontein.
Date (Day 2): Saturday 29 October 2016
Time: 10h00 to 13h00
Venue: Park Station, Johannesburg.
For interview requests with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee please contact:
Thebe Khumalo
Tel: 011 498 5948
Cell: 072 266 1021
Email: TKhumalo@gpl.gov.za
