Increasing traffic congestion makes it impossible to sustain the economic growth of cities like Johannesburg on the basis of private car use, Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe said on Friday.
About 160 000 cars a day travel between Tshwane and Johannesburg on the Ben Schoeman highway, Radebe said in launching Transport Month at the Midrand fire department.
While the Gautrain will go a long way in addressing this, South Africa’s future prosperity depends on increased investment in public transport.
”We are … under no illusions about the magnitude of the task at hand …”
The government has to ensure the public transport system is in line with national policy imperatives and contributes to economic growth and development.
Cities like Tshwane, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban need a world-class infrastructure and transport system that maximises economic efficiency, said Radebe.
He said the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) — a five-year pilot project being implemented on the Ben Schoeman highway — will help improve road safety and reduce traffic congestion.
The R51-million ITS transmits real-time traffic and road conditions to road users, traffic authorities and emergency services.
The Department of Transport is also considering a freeway network expansion including construction of a motorway between Sandton and Pretoria West, and between Soweto and Ekurhuleni.
Meanwhile, it spent R2,8-billion this year alone improving rail operations and infrastructure. An additional R7,7-billion is being spent on the taxi industry under the recapitalisation programme, he said.
A further R2,3-billion has been invested in the bus industry, and R3,8-billion is going to the public transport in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
”Multi-faceted initiatives are being implemented to influence road users’ behaviour to rethink their travelling choices,” said Radebe.
The October Transport Month campaign will encourage people to walk, cycle, use public transport or carry several people per vehicle.
A million bicycles will also be distributed across the country in the next 10 years, mainly to pupils and adults who walk long distances. — Sapa