Date: 23/10/2006
Source: Ministry of Transport
Title: Radebe: Transport Indaba resolutions
Media briefing by Minister Jeff Radebe at the Transport Indaba in Soweto
The first of its kind Transport Indaba took place from 22 - 23 October 2006, as part of the October Transport Month Campaign. The indaba was attended by the whole transport family including myself, MECs, the Director-General and heads of provincial transport departments, chairpersons and chief executive officers (CEOs) of transport agencies and major stakeholders across all our areas of work.
The indaba was presented with three major transport strategies and plans including the Public Transport Strategy, the 2010 Transport Plan and the National Road Safety Strategy. It reflected on the progress being made in the finalisation and the implementation of these programmes. But specifically the indaba reviewed and reflected on strategic issues arising out of the detailed presentations. Delegates identified some areas of improvement including the removal of bottlenecks to inform the finalisation of the strategies and implementation moving forward.
This document highlights the key discussions and resolutions arrived at by the indaba. The MECs and I will provide more detailed briefings to other stakeholders who were not able to attend.
1. Public Transport Strategy
The indaba interrogated various ways of strengthening the Public Transport Strategy and the capacity to implement it. Delegates agreed on the following resolutions to refine the strategy and implement it.
The Department of Transport was mandated to take learner transportation and ensure public transport for learners with strong measures to regulate the industry to prevent use of unroadworthy vehicles, overloading, as well as clarify granting of operating licences.
Passenger information and communication in all modes of transport should be made available as a matter of urgency and should be sensitive to people with special needs. Public transport operators should receive thorough training on how to deal with special needs passengers to improve the level of quality and services given to people with special needs.
The Indaba highlighted the urgent need for an enforceable "Charter" promoting the rights of the commuters and public transport users such as:
women commuters, especially with children
pedestrians and cyclists
insurance and passenger liability in case of accidents.
The establishment of the Public Transport Ombudsman office must be considered as a matter of urgency.
The public transport strategy should have an all-encompassing skills development strategy in as far as the training of drivers to improve service delivery and to improve their competitiveness and choices for users.
The strategy must include Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and also ensure equity in the government subsidy system. Particular attention should be given to greater involvement of women in the transport sector at large.
There was an overwhelming support of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme and the Department was mandated to consider the expansion of this programme to other modes of transport. It emerged that close monitoring of the scrapping process should be prioritised to prevent recycling of old taxi vehicle parts. It was emphasised that in-depth attention should also be given to operators in deep rural areas as part of the recapitalisation programme.
The indaba gave its full backing of the transformation of the bus contracts and its implementation, but agreed to strengthen the strategy in terms of looking beyond bus contracts. And restitution should be considered for the bus operators who were victims of apartheid.
It was also agreed to use other levers to strengthen the public transport strategy such as the:
operating licence strategies
restructuring of subsidies
rollout of priority lanes
strengthen Information Technology Plans (ITPs).
2. 2010 Battle Plan
The indaba came out in full support of the 2010 Transport Action Plan and that it was necessary to provide a world class eco-friendly public transport system for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
It was agreed that stakeholders should work together with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to ensure the best conditions for hosting the cup in order to maximise benefits for the economy, soccer community and for soccer visitors to experience the culture and hospitality of the South African way of life.
Delegates emphasised the need to ensure that all stakeholders work together to create an efficient, safe, affordable, accessible, reliable and environment friendly public transport system for the World Cup and beyond.
To support inclusive economic participation, it was emphasised that a special operating licensing dispensation for the public transport providers, should be considered during the World Cup period.
The Department of Transport was mandated to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of the World Cup preparation and publish regular updates on projects progress including procurement targets with focus on the designated groups.
Lastly, delegates called for an intensive communication plan to popularise the 2010 Transport Action Plan.
3. National Road Safety Strategy
The National Road Safety Strategy emerged as a key area of focus in an attempt to improve road safety and contribute to the economic growth.
Delegates suggested some areas to be strengthened and ways of improving the implementation of the strategy.
The Department of Transport undertook to hold two consultative workshops annually, in January and June, regarding the Road Safety Campaign.
Regarding the Arrive Alive Campaign, provinces and local authorities were instructed to use their own communication functions to support the national initiatives in line with the national advertising campaign and the enforcement calendar.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) was mandated to play a co-ordinating role to ensure results in the intensification of among other things, law enforcement levels. It was emphasised that the RTMC needed to work and agree with provinces and local authorities to ensure co-ordination of enforcement activities. More emphasis needed to be placed on rural enforcement where facilities are inadequate and knowledge of road safety is minimal.
Delegates emphasised the need to encourage the formation of Community Road Safety Councils as an empowerment tool.
There was a greater support to prioritise safety within the public transport industry and it was recommended to have continued consultation with the industry to ensure the implementation of appropriate and suitable remediation measures, and also ensure that the control and the regulation of the industry resides with a national body.
Priority must be given to pedestrian projects for all stakeholders. Local authorities and provinces must reduce speed limits and make every effort to build safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, construction of pavements, lighting, bridges, road crossings, traffic circles to slow traffic, speed bumps etc., both in urban and rural areas.
Integrated planning must be prioritised with a view to creating a safe environment, especially in terms of ensuring that schools, homes and other facilities are not divided by main roads.
Delegates called for more budget allocation and skilled staff members to be dedicated to road safety activities particularly in light of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Attention should also be given to building capacity within our communities to deliver on road safety projects.
In what became an important interaction, delegates expressed appreciation of the transport family to continue its interaction with stakeholders. The indaba underlined that, while steps were being taken to accelerate the finalisation and implementation of these strategies, focus should not be lost on the need to build a safe, reliable, efficient and affordable transport system.
Contact:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Issued by: Ministry of Transport
23 October 2006
Source: Ministry of Transport
Title: Radebe: Transport Indaba resolutions
Media briefing by Minister Jeff Radebe at the Transport Indaba in Soweto
The first of its kind Transport Indaba took place from 22 - 23 October 2006, as part of the October Transport Month Campaign. The indaba was attended by the whole transport family including myself, MECs, the Director-General and heads of provincial transport departments, chairpersons and chief executive officers (CEOs) of transport agencies and major stakeholders across all our areas of work.
The indaba was presented with three major transport strategies and plans including the Public Transport Strategy, the 2010 Transport Plan and the National Road Safety Strategy. It reflected on the progress being made in the finalisation and the implementation of these programmes. But specifically the indaba reviewed and reflected on strategic issues arising out of the detailed presentations. Delegates identified some areas of improvement including the removal of bottlenecks to inform the finalisation of the strategies and implementation moving forward.
This document highlights the key discussions and resolutions arrived at by the indaba. The MECs and I will provide more detailed briefings to other stakeholders who were not able to attend.
1. Public Transport Strategy
The indaba interrogated various ways of strengthening the Public Transport Strategy and the capacity to implement it. Delegates agreed on the following resolutions to refine the strategy and implement it.
The Department of Transport was mandated to take learner transportation and ensure public transport for learners with strong measures to regulate the industry to prevent use of unroadworthy vehicles, overloading, as well as clarify granting of operating licences.
Passenger information and communication in all modes of transport should be made available as a matter of urgency and should be sensitive to people with special needs. Public transport operators should receive thorough training on how to deal with special needs passengers to improve the level of quality and services given to people with special needs.
The Indaba highlighted the urgent need for an enforceable "Charter" promoting the rights of the commuters and public transport users such as:
women commuters, especially with children
pedestrians and cyclists
insurance and passenger liability in case of accidents.
The establishment of the Public Transport Ombudsman office must be considered as a matter of urgency.
The public transport strategy should have an all-encompassing skills development strategy in as far as the training of drivers to improve service delivery and to improve their competitiveness and choices for users.
The strategy must include Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and also ensure equity in the government subsidy system. Particular attention should be given to greater involvement of women in the transport sector at large.
There was an overwhelming support of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme and the Department was mandated to consider the expansion of this programme to other modes of transport. It emerged that close monitoring of the scrapping process should be prioritised to prevent recycling of old taxi vehicle parts. It was emphasised that in-depth attention should also be given to operators in deep rural areas as part of the recapitalisation programme.
The indaba gave its full backing of the transformation of the bus contracts and its implementation, but agreed to strengthen the strategy in terms of looking beyond bus contracts. And restitution should be considered for the bus operators who were victims of apartheid.
It was also agreed to use other levers to strengthen the public transport strategy such as the:
operating licence strategies
restructuring of subsidies
rollout of priority lanes
strengthen Information Technology Plans (ITPs).
2. 2010 Battle Plan
The indaba came out in full support of the 2010 Transport Action Plan and that it was necessary to provide a world class eco-friendly public transport system for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
It was agreed that stakeholders should work together with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to ensure the best conditions for hosting the cup in order to maximise benefits for the economy, soccer community and for soccer visitors to experience the culture and hospitality of the South African way of life.
Delegates emphasised the need to ensure that all stakeholders work together to create an efficient, safe, affordable, accessible, reliable and environment friendly public transport system for the World Cup and beyond.
To support inclusive economic participation, it was emphasised that a special operating licensing dispensation for the public transport providers, should be considered during the World Cup period.
The Department of Transport was mandated to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of the World Cup preparation and publish regular updates on projects progress including procurement targets with focus on the designated groups.
Lastly, delegates called for an intensive communication plan to popularise the 2010 Transport Action Plan.
3. National Road Safety Strategy
The National Road Safety Strategy emerged as a key area of focus in an attempt to improve road safety and contribute to the economic growth.
Delegates suggested some areas to be strengthened and ways of improving the implementation of the strategy.
The Department of Transport undertook to hold two consultative workshops annually, in January and June, regarding the Road Safety Campaign.
Regarding the Arrive Alive Campaign, provinces and local authorities were instructed to use their own communication functions to support the national initiatives in line with the national advertising campaign and the enforcement calendar.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) was mandated to play a co-ordinating role to ensure results in the intensification of among other things, law enforcement levels. It was emphasised that the RTMC needed to work and agree with provinces and local authorities to ensure co-ordination of enforcement activities. More emphasis needed to be placed on rural enforcement where facilities are inadequate and knowledge of road safety is minimal.
Delegates emphasised the need to encourage the formation of Community Road Safety Councils as an empowerment tool.
There was a greater support to prioritise safety within the public transport industry and it was recommended to have continued consultation with the industry to ensure the implementation of appropriate and suitable remediation measures, and also ensure that the control and the regulation of the industry resides with a national body.
Priority must be given to pedestrian projects for all stakeholders. Local authorities and provinces must reduce speed limits and make every effort to build safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, construction of pavements, lighting, bridges, road crossings, traffic circles to slow traffic, speed bumps etc., both in urban and rural areas.
Integrated planning must be prioritised with a view to creating a safe environment, especially in terms of ensuring that schools, homes and other facilities are not divided by main roads.
Delegates called for more budget allocation and skilled staff members to be dedicated to road safety activities particularly in light of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Attention should also be given to building capacity within our communities to deliver on road safety projects.
In what became an important interaction, delegates expressed appreciation of the transport family to continue its interaction with stakeholders. The indaba underlined that, while steps were being taken to accelerate the finalisation and implementation of these strategies, focus should not be lost on the need to build a safe, reliable, efficient and affordable transport system.
Contact:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Issued by: Ministry of Transport
23 October 2006
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
