SA transport set for massive overhaul

South Africans can look forward to a new 24-hour transport system

South Africans can look forward to a new 24 hour transport system, an integrated fare system and an overhaul of the subsidy system. These are just some of the far-reaching proposals on the table announced by Jeff Radebe, the national transport minister, during the department's budget vote at Parliament today.

The ministry's revolutionary new plan to change the country's transport system is in the pipeline - and foresees a major overhaul of the bus, train and air travel. Among the changes, the department says there will be an overhaul and expansion of the transport subsidy system to include taxis, the implementation of high occupancy lanes and the promotion of lift clubs in metro cities from September. An electronic fare collection system will also be introduced that will be controlled by the public sector and operators.

It comes as no surprise that the department of
transport received a big chunk of this year's budget. Jeff Radebe, the transport minister, says: "R8.5 billion will go to passenger rail, R8.2 billion will go to public transport, R5.5 billion to roads and R19.2 billion will go towards airport infrastructure. Provinces will also get R3 billion for provincial infrastructure and the Gautrain will receive R3 billion."

2 000 taxis scrapped so far
The taxi recapitalisation programme has seen more than R90 million being paid to operators and more than 2 000 taxis have been scrapped so far.

Gauteng, the province that has had the biggest problems with the recapitalisation programme - will launch their programme shortly and it is expected that this number is set to triple as this is the province with the most taxis. Detailed operational plans for the 2010 soccer world cup and transport security measures are expected to be announced shortly.