Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi has officially opened the new Bedfordview-based offices of the Gauteng Transport Commission (GTC) – an intergovernmental body that aims to improve transport service delivery and provide a reliable, affordable, safe, accessible and sustainable transport system in the Gauteng region.

Composed of the provincial Department of Roads and Transport and all local authorities in Gauteng, the role of the GTC would be to coordinate the implementation of the 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan, which was last year approved by the provincial government.

“The GTC will facilitate joint planning and coordination in core transport areas such as integrated rail planning in the province; the development and integration of bus rapid transit systems; and the promotion of standardised intelligent transport systems, particularly in respect of integrated ticketing, integrated fare management, passenger transport information and traffic management,” he outlined.

It would also look to promote nonmotorised transport and effectively implement travel demand management.

The GTC was overseen by a governing body comprising Vadi and the members of the mayoral committees responsible for transport in each participating municipality.

It would be further supported by an advisory panel of transport specialists and experts, with its day-to-day operations administered by transport official Tobie Roux, who would provide administrative, technical and professional support to the governing body.

The participating municipalities were the City of Johannesburg; the City of Tshwane; the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality; the West Rand district municipality; the Sedibeng district municipality; the Lesedi local municipality; the Midvaal local municipality; the Randfontein local municipality; the Westonaria local municipality; the Merafong City local municipality; the Mogale City local municipality, and the Emfuleni local municipality.