The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) was considering prohibiting private cars from certain parts of the city centre, according to a news report on Saturday.
According to the Beeld newspaper, mayoral committee member for transport Rehana Moosajee said on Friday that a local law amendment should be tabled soon to reserve certain parts of the city centre for public transport.
This would counter traffic congestion and pollution.
She gave motorists the assurance that safe and reliable public transport would be available.
Commuters would also be encouraged to use bicycles and motorcycles.
Proposals to establish special lanes for bicycles in the city centre were already under consideration.
Balance
Metro executive director of transport Lisa Seftal said the streets were for all road uses and there had to be a balance.
“Streets must be safe and pedestrians and bicycles should be encouraged. The number of private vehicles in the city centre must be restricted,” she said.
Seftel said the transport system in Johannesburg was deteriorating.
There was minimal coordination between local, provincial and national departments.
In addition there were unbalanced subsidies and a lack of labour stability.
Broken traffic lights and neglected pavement were also challenges, Seftel said.
Also speaking at the transport indaba, Flora Mokgohloa, head of Johannesburg’s Department of Environmental Management, said “green lungs” — such as parks where vehicles were forbidden — would be developed. — Sapa