27 March 2007
In October 2006 the department released a draft Public Transport Strategy
for public consultation. The Public Transport Strategy aims to radically
accelerate the improvement in public transport by focusing on modal upgrading
and establishment of Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks (IRPTN), which
will introduce Priority Rail Corridors and Bus Rapid Transit in our cities. The
strategy is supported by the Public Transport Action Plan, which focuses on the
implementation, in a phased and incremental approach.
I am happy to announce that Cabinet approved the strategy and the action
plan on Tuesday, 20 March 2007. In developing this strategy consultation and
inputs were solicited from the following stakeholders principally at our
Transport Indaba held in Soweto, in October 2006, including:
* commuter representative bodies
* organisations representing people with disabilities
* taxi, bus and rail sectors
* the provincial Departments of Transport
* the metropolitan municipalities
* South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
* labour unions
Public transport action plan
The Public Transport Action Plan is a high-level plan that supplements the
Public Transport Strategy. It maps out a phase one (2007-2010) to fast track
implementation programme over the next four years that targets the initial
development of high quality, Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks
(IRPTNs) in at least the 2010 host cities and at best 12 cities and six rural
districts.
The essential feature of the Public Transport Strategy (2007-2020) is the
phased extension of mode-based vehicle recapitalisation into IRPTNs. These
networks comprise an integrated package of Rapid Rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
and taxi and metered taxi priority networks, especially in major cities. The
key focus of this Action Plan is on initiating implementation in a speedy and
highly visible manner with maximum impact. Successful implementation over the
phase one and two periods (2007-2014) will see the improvement in public
transport services for over half the country's population. This is an ambitious
programme for the overhaul of public transport and will require a concerted
effort by the three spheres of government and all other stakeholders.
Catalytic Projects
The goal of the "Catalytic Projects" is to initiate implementation of
Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks in targeted municipalities,
simultaneously with, the current nationwide rollout of "Accelerated Modal
Recovery" interventions. This involves the three to seven year modal
transformation plans such as the Taxi Recapitalisation Plan, Passenger Rail
Plan and the Commuter Bus Transformation Plan.
The projects are intended to create the platform for a nationwide rollout of
fully accessible Networks in cities and districts by 2010 onwards. The 2010
host cities are targeted for Catalytic Integrated Rapid Public Transport
Network projects. In this regard, the cities have already considered their
phase one network concepts on maximising alignment with 2010 Legacy Projects
that have been submitted to the DoT's Public Transport Infrastructure and
Systems Fund (PTIF). An amount of R9 billion has been allocate to focus on
Public Transport over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period,
R19,2 billion for Airport Infrastructure and R5,5 billion for national Roads
Infrastructure and R8,5 billion for Passenger Rail Infrastructure.
Phase 1: Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network Package
In general, this will require a functional area-wide, transport authority
controlled network of rapid public transport corridors and networks that will
be operated by appropriate modes based on the volumes. This means that public
transport operation will include all modes playing a meaningful and
complementary role on the network. This includes the participation of smaller
buses, taxis and metered taxis to form part of the mainstream public transport
system. This will be supported by appropriate pedestrian, cycling and park and
ride facilities and other non-motorised transport infrastructure.
This network will prioritise public transport, walking and cycling over
private car travel and will dedicate road space to these priority modes. The
service will have high frequencies of about 5 minutes in the peak along trunk
corridors as well as 16-24 hour operations. Full special needs and wheelchair
access for all on the IRPTN will be implemented.
The network will integrate with metered taxis and long distance public
transport to provide maximum coverage and interconnection. Integrated fare
structures will be implemented through a common electronic fare system on all
modes on the network, including payment for park and ride facilities, etc.
Institutional framework to ensure sustainable implementation
Achieving the ambitious goal of Integrated Networks is going to require an
institutional framework that focuses Intergovernmental Structures on
co-ordinated implementation. The Action Plan also proposes the phased
establishment of transport authorities that reflect the transport functional
areas. The transport authorities will plan, manage and regulate the network.
The provinces will play a co-ordinating role in regard to planning and to
ensure core capacity is available for transport authorities
Phase 1 of the action plan
Accelerated Recovery and Catalytic Projects actions will be completed by
2010
Planning Actions include:
* detailed operational plans of Phase one integrated rapid public transport
corridors includes BRT, Rapid Rail, taxis and Non-Motorised network,
infrastructure, facilities and service rollout, by September 2007
* plan fully accessible corridors for users with special needs, guidelines and
specifications for accessible taxis, buses and trains by June 2007
* include requirement for public transport facilities in Airports Company
(ACSA) capital programme for airport development to cater for user on low cost
airlines by December 2008
* plan and implement high occupancy car lanes and ride-sharing promotion in
metro cities to commence September 2007
* plan and pilot Public Transport Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) including
electronic fare collection system that is controlled by public sector in
partnership with operators by June 2008.
Operational Improvement Actions include:
* commence implementation of BRT systems - procurement of infrastructure;
design of operating contracts, ITS and electronic fare system by January
2008
* commencement of implementation of Public Transport ITS and fare collection
system and control centres by June 2008
* implementation of infrastructure - including median bus lanes, median
stations, depots and terminals by March 2008
* commencement of operations (including full accessibility for special needs
users) by March 2009
* accelerated rollout of fleet upgrading including Taxi Recapitalisation, 80%
vehicles scrapped by 2009/10.
* rail rolling stock upgrading up to 2 000 coaches refurbished by 2009/10.
Phase one basic BRT systems in cities to include new specifications for all bus
vehicles on trunk corridors
* implement safer cycling and walking routes, particularly around schools and
residential areas to commence in September 2007.
* ensure initial 10% of total public transport fleet is fully accessible for
users with special needs when rolling out BRT and Rapid Rail from May 2009.
Capacity Enhancement Actions
* Build transport capacity for planning, monitoring, regulation and network
management at provincial and transport authority level.
* Intergovernmental structures to support transport authorities to develop
strategic integrated network plans including 2010 operational plans, travel
demand management plans, and electronic fare collection plans in conjunction
with the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA), transport centres
of development and other institutions of higher learning
* Enhance capacity to process operating licences (for commuter, scholar,
tourist, metered taxi and charter services) and cross border permits and the
related alignment with transport planning
* Support and train operators and drivers of bus and minibus vehicles in order
to enhance their participation in the Phase one network to commence in July
2007
* Enhance law enforcement, inspection and investigation capacity and campaigns
across all road-based modes
Phase 2: Promote and deliver basic networks (2010-2014)
The strategic thrust of this phase is to incrementally enhance and expand
the passenger transport system.
Phase 3: Advance and sustain accessible networks (2014-2020)
This phase will significantly expand and transform public transport through
large-scale implementation across the whole country.
Conclusion
This Action Plan aims to create a bridge to enable the movement from
strategy to rapid implementation. It does so in a manner that focuses on the
implementation of IRPTNs in at least the 2010 host cities for phase one. In
addition, useful pre-implementation planning has commenced in the nine host
cities.
The key challenge in 2007 is to ensure detailed implementation and
operational planning is finalised and aligned with the Action Plan goals. This
is going to require a serious effort and investment in capacity and resources
based on an intergovernmental approach.
Issued by: Department of Transport
27 March 2007
Source: SAPA
