NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 1467
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 08 DECEMBER 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18 â 2009)
Mr D A Kganare (Cope) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) What type of coordination has been created to ensure efficiency
between the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, the Passenger Rail
Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Gautrain;
(2) whether these modes of transport have been arranged in such a way
that they feed each other; if not, why not; if so, what are the
relevant details;
(3) what is the role of the taxi industry in providing public transport
in relation to this public transport system;
(4) whether there are any taxi associations that are still not
cooperating with this system; if so, which associations?
NW1826E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
1) Intermodal coordination is done through various Intersphere
structures. The Gautrain Public Transport Integration Committee
(GPTIC) was established on 15 August 2008, consisting of the
following:-
⢠The Department of Transport (DoT).
⢠The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.
⢠The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA).
⢠City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (CoJ).
⢠City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CoT).
⢠Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM).
⢠The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
The CoJ has also established a number of coordinating structures,
including a Gautrain Coordination Committee and a Regional Rail
Steering Committee. The requirement of efficiency and integration and
a plan to achieve this is included in the CoJâs Integrated Transport
Plan.
The CoT developed the Strategic Public Transport Network to ensure
coordination between the different modes of transport. The City is
also actively involved in the Gauteng Integrated Public Transport
Network project, which has the aim of coordinating public transport in
the Province.
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Operational Plan for the City of
Tshwane has been discussed with all the relevant role players,
including representatives from PRASA. The City coordinates the
Tshwane Gautrain Task Team meeting, which is held monthly to ensure
integration of public transport services, including BRT and Gautrain
feeder services to the stations. The City also facilitates the
monthly City of Tshwane/Gautrain/PRASA/Intersite meeting to coordinate
and integrate public transport services in the Pretoria Station
precinct.
2) Yes, the modes have been arranged in a way that ensures seamless
integration through physical infrastructure between Gautrain, PRASA
and Bus Rapid Transit stations, as well as through operations,
including integrated ticketing and fares. Further details are provided
below.
(3) The taxi industry is involved in various ways in this public
transport system, namely:
⢠The taxi industry is a member of the Strategic Partners Group
(SPG), which is a shareholder in the Bombela Concession Company,
through the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).
⢠Based on the joint study referred to under Question (2) above, the
CoJ has requested Bombela to consider a number of additional routes
that can be operated by the taxi industry.
⢠In its Request for Proposal for the Gautrain Feeder and
Distribution Services (GFDS), the Gauteng Province required that
30% of the GFDS had to be operated by local operators (bus as well
as taxi).
(4) The National Joint Working Group (NJWG) was established by the
National Minister of Transport in response to the taxi industry
concerns around the implementation of the BRT systems. Â The NJWG
comprises of representatives from the Taxi Industry (SANTACO), Civil
Society and Government (with representation from all spheres). Â The
aim of the NJWG is to facilitate a series of stakeholder engagements
to address the key issues that affect the stakeholders.
The NJWG will comprise of various work streams that will focus on the
core issues and proposes resolutions and mechanisms to deal with them.
 The following are the identified work streams:-
⢠Taxi subsidies.
⢠Bus Rapid Transport (BRT)/Integrated Rapid Public Transport
Networks (IRPTNs).
⢠Legislation, regulation, licensing and law enforcement.
⢠Business enterprise development.
⢠Communication and stakeholder management.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed by the parties to
show support by the stakeholders in transforming public transport. Â
The CoJ has been engaging with the Taxi Industry broadly, as well as
negotiating with all affected operators and their associations to
discuss the participation of the incumbent affected operators in the
BRT system. The CoT has held meetings with the Taxi Councils in the
City of Tshwane. An engagement plan is being finalised at present.
There is a spirit of cooperation between the City and the Taxi
Councils. There is no indication at this stage of associations who
are not cooperating.