SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER MOBILITY IN GAUTENG’S CITIES AND TOWNS

Although not everybody has access to transport, the Department of Transport is working to improve and expand infrastructure and, through subsidies, to reduce the costs of public transport.

By the end of October 2006, the Minister of Transport, Mr Jeff Radebe, announced that the 2010 Transport Action Agenda had been developed and that the World Cup Public Transport Infrastructure and Systems Fund had allocated the first round of funding to municipalities.

Government has set aside R3,8 billion for public transport infrastructure for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup. These funds are meant to leverage other funds available to develop public-transport infrastructure.

The following allocations were approved:

• R1,6 billion for capital-expenditure projects for 2010
• R200 million for intelligent transport systems
• R700 million for new and improved bus and taxi infrastructure
• R144 million for new intermodal interchanges and facilities

An additional R5 billion a year is needed to address the decline in service levels and to implement government’s transport strategy to achieve a sustainable rapid mass public-transport system over the next 10 to 15 years.

Gautrain is an integrated transport solution consisting of train and bus feeder services to transport passengers up to 15 kilometres from stations. Utilising smart cards, Gautrain passengers will use just one ticket for parking, the train trip and busses. Commuters using their cars can park safely at the stations with ample parking being constructed.

As a public transport mode, Gautrain will provide fast, safe and reliable access to transport.

Integrated public transport enables commuters to use a combination of busses, trains and taxis to reach their destinations – thus giving more people better access to public transport.