Keynote address at the launch of the Khayelitsha Express by Mr Jeff Radebe, Minister of Transport, Khayelitsha, Cape Town

Thirty two days ago, we launched our flagship October Transport Month Campaign as an extraordinary opportunity to showcase tangible progress we have made in transforming our transport system. As we wrap-up this campaign today, we collectively say that the opportunity has been great, the challenge immense. But in the same breath we are saying that the campaign cannot be over without addressing the transport challenges of the people of Khayelitsha. We are therefore presenting our considered response with the launch of the Khayelitsha Express.

But let me say that when we launched the Transport Month Campaign, we did not present a wish list of individual projects. We presented an integrated solution to South Africa's current and evolving transport needs. It has been a campaign that underpins our competitiveness and that promotes balanced regional growth and enhances the quality of life for generations to come. At its core has been the connectivity and mobility of our people and South Africa's economic growth, and its spine being the unprecedented levels of investments in our transport endeavours.

Our campaign has been the product of detailed work involving the provincial Departments of Transport, Local Authorities and all the transport agencies, one of its key moment being the transport state of readiness for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Let me reassure the members of the Transport Portfolio Committee, who are here today, that as transport family, we have made it our duty to locate transport at the centre of South Africa's preparations for 2010. We took a strategic decision to ensure that the international community has no two minds about our transport potential to host the 2010 World Cup and we have made major progress in achieving that objective:

We are upgrading our airports as part of our R19,3 billion investments. We have funded investment in both the urban and rural road infrastructure to a tune of R70 billion. We are fast-tracking our implementation of the Taxi Recap Programme and the Public Transport Infrastructure for 2010.

These are all real and tangible benefits, benefits we can too easily take for granted, but they have changed the transport experience for many thousands of our people. And we collectively say that we have been able to demonstrate some of these achievements during the past 32 days. We are certain that many people have already begun choosing public transport not because they have to, but because they want to.

We have literally used the Transport Month to give South Africa a comprehensive picture of our progress in transforming South Africa's transport system. This was made easy by the fact that our hands are indeed dirty, specifically to ensure that our public transport infrastructure and services are ready for the soccer spectacle and beyond. I therefore want to thank all those involved especially my colleagues, the MECs of Transport for their guidance, as well as the officials and stakeholders who have contributed towards the success of the Transport Month Campaign.

Ladies and gentlemen, I also want to mention that we remain realistic about our challenges as a growing nation with a growing economy. As we become more prosperous, the vehicle population has increased to more than eight million cars and lifestyles too are changing. This in turn impacts on our transport infrastructure, but these are the challenges presented by a successful economy. As a result, the African National Congress (ANC) government has taken a firm decision for a major rebalancing of investment in favour of transport, in every community, rich or poor.

We are investing R16 billion in passenger rail, which is our largest investment in passenger rail in half a century. This investment is allocated over three years, but will be felt well beyond 2010 and is a cornerstone for the implementation of our National Passenger Rail Plan. It will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet passenger rail infrastructure needs across South Africa.

With our National Passenger Rail plan we say that:

* we will complete the jigsaw of a new passenger rail that presents a new passenger experience
* we will complete the upgrade of stations with the investment of R2 billion up to 2010
* we will complete the renewal of the rolling stock that will permit a phased improvement of service frequencies.

The unveiling of the Khayelitsha Express today, which is also part of our National Rail Plan, is recognition of a changing South Africa and what Transport means for the people of Khayelitsha.

As you know, the Khayelitsha Express comes hot on the heels of the Soweto Business Express which was launched four months ago, in Soweto. The Express will travel between origin and destination stations within 38 minutes, reducing the usual travelling time by 30% and it will only stop at three stations Mandalay, Heideveld and Mutual. Our strategy is to cater for higher income earners emerging from the townships and is aimed at a customer prepared to pay for a superior and exclusive service offering comfort, convenience and speed.

The Express consists of six coaches with a seating capacity of 300 commuters and the monthly ticket costing R300, with weekly ticket at R99, and daily return and single trips costing R25 and R15 respectively.

We are indeed convinced that rail investments will benefit our people including the people of Khayelitsha. These projects will also allow rail commuters to connect seamlessly with our integrated public transport networks being developed as part of our public transport strategy.

In particular, the Khayelitsha Express will make a substantial impact on congestion and presents all commuters with a real high-quality travel choice. It is through these initiatives that South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) or Metrorail will increase a number of rail passengers from the current levels and reduce trip times, as well as improve the safety and reliability of its service.

One of the enduring features of South Africa is the resilience and tenacity of people who live in townships and remote parts of this vast and, at times, harsh land. Our history is full of stories of their endurance in the face of poverty, their hard work in turning parts of this vast country into strong and vibrant communities. While at times you can detect a sometimes stoic acceptance that they have to live without the same kinds of facilities enjoyed by their city counterparts, I am pleased to say that South Africans living in townships and romote areas have never and should never accept that the standard of public transport and the level of services that are offered to them should be any less than any other South African.

It is a conviction that has underpinned all our extensive efforts to improve public transport in the townships and remote areas. These efforts have seen the passenger rail service rise for the first time in many donkey years.

Our pioneering efforts have led to the setting up of Khayelitsha Express so that for the first time we can actually provide train service for the middle class. This service will not only benefit them and the community directly, but also lead to more middle class people returning to leave in townships.

With the Khayelitsha Express, SARCC or Metrorail has refused to believe that people living in townships were any less deserving of the best transport system. I want to congratulate them on the delivery of the Express. I have no doubt they will enhance our goal of improved passenger rail services for South Africa. This work will take time, but already we are seeing big improvements in our service with the increase in rail patronage.

I am keen to see significantly more South Africans getting out of their cars and onto the trains. We have taken the first step by addressing years of serious passenger rail under-funding, including major investments in public transport in order to achieve an integrated approach to public transport. We believe that such investments will help us achieve a properly integrated public transport, not one that relies on more roads alone.

Greater use of public transport is one of the most effective tools we have for reducing congestion in South Africa, meeting business and commuter needs, and enhancing our environment. I am delighted that rail patronage continues to enjoy real growth in South Africa, an indication that an initial investment in improved rail service is already paying off. Our National Rail plan has seized the historic opportunity to complete the transformation of passenger rail. It is then and only then that we can build a 21st Century passenger rail for a 21st century South Africa.

We are putting in place a sustained programme to develop the passenger rail of modern South Africa. With the Khayelitsha Express, we are accelerating this process further in order to deliver a service which supports economic activity across the nation and which enhances the quality of life of every citizen.
Let us all support SARCC or Metrorail and wish them well in their contribution to improve our passenger rail. You are cementing the links among our cities and townships. As partners in a national effort to make South Africa the land of our dreams, it is with pride and delight that I now officially launch the Khayelitsha Express.

Viva Khayelitsha Express Viva! Viva SARCC or Metrorail Viva! Viva City of Cape Town Viva!

Ndiyabulela!

Issued by: Department of Transport
31 October 2007