Riyaz Patel
“Our attention will focus on delivering a transport system that enables economic activity and stimulates growth by giving practical effect to our commitment to lowering the cost of doing business,” Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said during his budget vote in Parliament Tuesday.
This, he said, starts with eliminating delays and cancellations of South Africa’s commuter rail network, so that those who rely on this mode to get to work are able to maximize their productivity by being at work on time.
The overall expenditure of the department, Mbalula said, is driven by transfers to Sanral, South Africa’s National Road Agency, the provinces and municipalities, claiming the 97.8% of the budget this year.
Mbalula said over the medium term, his department’s expenditure will increase at an average annual rate of 8%… largely driven by increasing transfers to Prasa.
Mbalula said that this year will also see new phases of the Integrated Public Transport Plan (IPTN) coming on stream with buses operating in areas where there were none before.
“This is particularly important for our townships, which continue to bare the brunt of apartheid spatial planning.” he added
Over the next 5 months IPTN will be operational in 5 cities: Mbombela, eThekwini, Rustenburg, Polokwane and Mangaung.
Over the next year, Mbalula’s department will table a bill seeking to establish a single transport economic regulator to level the playing fields in the rail, maritime and road sectors.
“Aviation and maritime industries remain the exclusive preserve of the privileged few. While we are encouraged by individuals and corporate citizens who take steps to usher in transformation, these interventions remain a drop in the ocean,” the transport minister said.
Some R13 billion will be set aside for maintenance across the country. “Our target is to create 15 full time jobs this year. R3.5 billion will be used to kick start flagship projects. Our target is to create 20 000 full time jobs over 3-5 years,” he said.
Mbalula also revealed that Cabinet had approved the continuation of the revised Taxi Recapitalization programme; and that funds earmarked for this programme amount to R1.3 billion.
Sanral will spend R25 billion this year to expand and maintain the national road network.
“Mindful of the demand to scrap e-tolls.”
And, e-tolls of course. “The team is working to ensure that a final report is tabled to the President by the end of August 2019. We are mindful of the demand to scrap e-tolls and looking at solutions that will balance this demand,” Mbalula said on the controversial electronic tolling system.
“Engagements are still ongoing. The options being considered include feasibility of mechanisms through which the debt incurred in the construction of the Gauteng freeway improvement project can be paid, he said.
We are seized with the process to find a lasting solution to the demand to scrap e-tolls in Gauteng.
