Speech by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works
The following speech was delivered by Western Cape Transport and Public Works Minister, Daylin Mitchell, during the NCOP virtual plenary today.
- Honourable Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces
- Honourable Members and Office Bearers
- Delegates from the Provinces
- Honourable Minister of Transport and Deputy Minister
- Distinguished Guests
- Ladies and Gentlemen
It is an honour for me as the Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works to represent the Western Cape Provincial Parliament today in the National Council of Provinces during this important discussion.
While transport has always been a major factor in the overall life of South Africa, it has increasingly emerged as a decisive consideration in our society – whether as an essential means of keeping the economy going or to ensure that our vital front line health workers and infected patients can access our widely spread heath facilities during the pandemic.
Integrated Public Transport Networks - We therefore welcome, Chair, the further implementation of Integrated Public Transport Networks and the associated increase in the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG) over the MTEF period.
In the Western Cape, this will be helpful for the financial sustainability of the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) and for the implementation of Phase 4a, which is planned for this financial year.
This major development in the history of the project will double the number of daily trips on the Go George service, contributing to the doubling of overall IPTN trips referenced in the Minister’s speech.
The Western Cape generally supports the proposal to extend Bus Rapid Transport operating hours to 20 hours per day but note that services should be designed in response to the context and the specific needs of passengers. In cities, a 20 hour service may be appropriate on some routes, but not on others, while the operating requirements in small cities differ from those in the large metropolitan centres. The cost implications of increasing operating hours would also need to be considered.
Minibus Taxi Industry - We welcome the provision of additional support for the minibus taxi industry which, for too long, has not received the assistance from Government that it deserves as the main mode of public transport and a major business sector in its own right.
Chair, over the last year the Western Cape Government has made remarkable progress in building new and stronger partnerships with the minibus taxi industry.
The ground-breaking implementation of the Red Dot Taxi project, a partnership between the Department and the provincial minibus taxi industry which continues to provide transport services in support of the fight against COVID-19, laid the foundations for the development of the Blue Dot Taxi pilot project.
The innovative Blue Dot Taxi pilot project went live on the 15 May 2021.
The pilot, which will run for 9 months, will see the participation of more than 600 operators and up to 1,300 vehicles, distributed across all regions of the Province, in a new incentive programme which will reward improved driving behaviour and service quality, while encouraging reduced instances of illegal operations and violent conflict.
Performance is monitored by the Department using the on-board tracker, on-the-ground monitors, and a bespoke technology system developed by the Department, while passengers and other road users can provide feedback via their cell phones.
The project has the full support of the provincial taxi industry. 8 new companies have been established by all 8 of the Province's regional taxi councils to participate in the pilot along with Umanyano Travel Services (UTS), the company established by members of SANTACO's provincial branch to participate in the Red Dot Taxi initiative. These developments represent a giant leap forward for the formalisation, empowerment and transformation of the minibus taxi industry and are a first in the country.
I call upon the National Minister and the National Department of Transport to make funding available for the expansion of Blue Dot beyond the pilot phase so that additional participants can be included and the impact of the project on the lives and transport experience of the citizens of the Province can be scaled up.
National Public Transport Subsidy Policy - My Department has reviewed the draft National Public Transport Subsidy Policy thoroughly and while there is much to support, we are concerned by many of its proposals and do not believe that it is practical or workable in its current form. I urge the National Department of Transport to engage further with stakeholders, including the provincial and local spheres in order to consider substantial changes to the document before it is finalised.
Rail – Chairperson, on behalf of the commuters of the Cape Town Metro, I am desperate to see the rail network restored to its former glory, including the full restoration of services on the Central Line, which are so important for so many of our citizens as they strive to access opportunities for work and education.
Chair, the Western Cape commits to providing whatever support we can to the process.
My Department concluded a MoA with PRASA in 2020, affirming this position and we stand ready to assist. The support we can provide ranges from technical planning through security technology to direct implementation of initiatives. For example, we have offered to help establish a temporary rail replacement bus service to assist commuters left stranded by the problems with the Central Line and have assisted Metrorail with the restoration of the rail reserve over the last year.
We would also call on the National Department of Transport to consider increasing the autonomy of the Metrorail regions, so that the Regional Managers are better empowered to address the challenges they face.
Ticketing Systems - While we acknowledge the initiative that the National Department is taking to address the concept of integrated ticketing, my Department is concerned that the proposed initiatives may introduce more complexity, rather than improving efficiency and reducing costs. Given that two of the cities in the Province already have operational Automated Fare Collection (AFC) systems, that comply with the existing national regulations, we would welcome continued engagement with the National Department on these new proposals.
Transport Authority – Finally, Chairperson, as part of the effort to address the ongoing transport challenges in the Western Cape, my Department is working towards establishing the Western Cape Transport Authority (WCTA) which will work to significantly improve public transport by developing a safe, reliable, and affordable system for the citizens of the Province.
It will drive integration between rail, bus, minibus taxi and other modes of public transport, working with local authorities and public transport operators to achieve results.
The WCTA is a response to the ongoing challenges of fragmented responsibility for public transport functions and the institutional decline experienced across the sector, both of which have been major stumbling blocks to progress.
I thank you, Chairperson.
Audio clip of speech
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za