MEC: Use public transport
Johannesburg - Gauteng's commuters must be encouraged to use public transport, the province's transport MEC Ignatius Jacobs said on Sunday.
He acknowledged that Gauteng's public-transport system was under-developed, but said it was also under-used.
Research indicated that half of motorised passenger trips were made on public transport and the other half using private transport.
"Most trips during peak times are made to schools, while 32% of trips are made to work," said Jacobs.
The research also showed that 68% of households did not own cars.
'Huge challenge'
Jacobs said that providing a public-transport system that would be "a mode of choice" for most people was a "huge challenge".
However, it would ensure better use of road space than the existing reliance on private transport to the extent that it "chokes economic activities", he said.
He explained that the congestion and gridlock had accompanied rapid economic growth and development of the motor manufacturing industry.
The government and Gauteng community needed to work together to ensure the mobility of people, goods and services with minimum delay.
"Road infrastructure continues to be under immense pressure due to competition for road space from industrial, public and private road users.
"The state and lifespan of the road network continues to degenerate beyond its holding capacity as a result of the pressure exerted on it," said Jacobs.
'One-stop centre of socio-economic activity'
"We must introduce a usage of road space that would ensure that each of the modes of travel, such as taxis, buses, rail, heavy-duty vehicles and private cars makes optimal use of socio-economic infrastructure," he said.
"We need to develop a transport system that creates a one-stop centre of socio-economic activity."
Jacobs said the government had already started improving transport infrastructure by building roads in disadvantaged communities and public transport terminals.
During the transport month of October it would embark on a communications campaign; pilot a high-occupancy vehicle lane on the N1 highway between Johannesburg and Tshwane; launch a taxi recapitalisation programme scrapping agency in Sedibeng; issue the first public transport operating licenses for taxi; and pilot the use of small Tuk-Tuks in tourist areas.
News source: www.news24.co.za
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
Public transport. hhhmmm. I would rather hire a car
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