Within the next three years, motorists travelling alone should expect to pay a fee for doing so, the Department of Transport said on Thursday.
The measure, called ”congestion pricing”, will be implemented to encourage the use of public transport, Deputy Director General of Transport Lucky Montana said in Mabatu at the launch of National Transport Month.
”Safety measures and improvements to public transport will be implemented over the next three years as well. We will definitely not implement congestion pricing without addressing those issues. If we do, the public would defy us.”
The department will also phase in high-occupancy vehicle lanes for buses and taxis in metropolitan areas and on highways.
Lisa Seftel, deputy director general of the department in Gauteng, said Car-Free Day on October 20 is a completely voluntary, promotional event to encourage public-transport use.
”We will build the capacity of public transport so that it becomes the preferred mode, and this will take some time.”
Seftel said the department’s approach will not focus on prosecuting motorists.
”Breaking the car-dominated paradigm will not be easy and will challenge all of us,” said Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe.
”Car users and the media are entirely within reason to question any forced shift on to public transport and non-motorised modes that are perceived to be unsafe, insecure, dirty, slow and unreliable.”
The minister said National Transport Month in its initial years will, therefore, be about raising awareness, generating debate and listening to users’ requirements. — Sapa