NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION NO 776
Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Transport:
(a) What public participation processes have taken place for the various
bus rapid transit systems (BRT) implementation phases in various cities to
date and (b) what public participation processes are planned in future for
the BRT system in each city? NW863E
REPLY
a) Each city that is in the advanced stage of planning and/or
constructing and /or operating bus rapid transit and high quality bus
system have engaged systematically and comprehensively in the relevant
consultative processes, including consultation with the public on the
project plans, engaging affected parties with regard to infrastructure
design and construction impacts, conducting environmental assessments
where required, requesting comment on contracting arrangements that
are long term, engaging affected operators and their employees,
engaging affected stakeholders such as business and community groups,
groups representing people with special categories of need such as
people with disabilities as well as schools, universities. Etc
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane and Rustenburg have conducted
extensive public engagement programmes over several years starting in
Johannesburg in 2008 and are continuing with these as work continues,
for example in Khayalisha and Mitchellâs Plain, as well as Alexandra,
Orange Gove and Sandton as well as in Soshanguve, Pretoria North and
Hatfield and Tlabane and the CBD of Rustenburg.
Public engagement has also included liaison with local communities
with regard to hiring local employees during construction as well as
during operations and also with regard to station location and naming
for example.
b) Currently Nelson Mandela Bay, Ekurhuleni, Ethekwini, Mangaung,
Msunduzi, George and Polokwane are either completing planning or
initiating construction or operations for Phase1. They have all
engaged u initial consultative processes including community meetings,
engaging affected operators etc. They all with follow the experience
of Johannesburg and Cape Town in holding on-going public participation
processes linked to the relevant stage of the project.
The Department monitors city processes with regard to public
participation and also with regard to ensuring that users are
continually consulted once services start operating.