21 May 2002
Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar said when addressing the National Council of Province today.
The Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar said transport was crucial in order to address social needs. He said transport is performing both an economic and social function. "It is an important input sector to promote growth of the economy", Omar said.
He indicated that the public passenger transport system must ensure that the millions of workers, who rely on public transport for their conveyance to and from work, do arrive to start work on time and in good shape. He said public transport must ensure that they return home at the end of a day's work to enjoy the maximum possible time with their families and friends, to meet their social obligations and indeed to ensure that they have time to rest their bodies and minds - fit and healthy to start work the next day.
Production and the quality of work are dependent on the quality, efficiency, reliability and affordability of public transport.
There is the important social dimension. "Public transport must enable the millions who rely on that mode to reach their families, their friends, their places of worship, places of sport and recreation. It must connect human beings with each other. It must help through connecting people to build communities and help to forge the nation. In other words transport is a great facilitator", Omar assured the nation.
He also said to the NCOP that tourists and visitors will find South Africa so much more attractive if public transport system is safe, efficient, affordable and reliable. "In the light of soaring costs, I have no doubt that public transport has become more important than ever. We must work hard to meet public expectations. Let us work hard to make public transport the pride of our nation. We must put public transport high on the list of basic needs and I ask you, who are closer to local communities, to say so loud and clear", Minister Omar said.
He indicated that South Africa has no public transport system, which serves the whole country equitably. He alluded to the fact that the legacy of racial discrimination remains reflected in the transport system, as also the urban bias. He highlighted that commuter train services are operational only in the six metro areas, namely Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and East London. These areas are also served by buses, mini-bus taxis and sedan taxis.
In all other areas the public has to rely on buses and mini-bus taxis and sometimes sedan taxis. In many rural areas, people are still conveyed on our LDV's (bakkies), open trucks and even tractor drawn cattle trucks. Others used animal drawn vehicles. Many have to walk.
ISSUED BY:
Mike Mabasa
HEAD: Media Liaison and Corporate Communication
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT