Ndicela ukuba ndingawuthathi, ndiyabonga. [I am not prepared to take it, thank you.]
We are quite aware of the fact that this right to access to education is threatened if drastic improvements are not made to the plight of the scholar transport programme in some areas of the province. This will also be implemented in line with our vision to provide an efficient, safe, sustainable, affordable and accessible transport system.
The programme to facilitate the provision of transport to learners walking in excess of five kilometres to access schools in line with the national draft scholar transport policy. Since the beginning of the second school term in April a total of 57 176 scholars have benefitted from the scholar transport programme. This means that 60% of the total scholar transport need is being met for the 2014 academic year, and an amount of R356 76 has been allocated for this purpose. We anticipate that the school building programme will reduce the need for scholar transport.
We further stabilised the service through implementing a new monitoring strategy, which includes the development and distribution of specially designed scholar transport. All the contracted vehicles must reflect our toll-free number that can be called in order that we may be warned in time about noncompliant vehicles. It is important to note that the department is working on a new plan for the procurement of scholar transport services, which will be implemented in the 2015 academic year. This will include the promotion of the introduction of legally compliant light delivery vehicles on routes which are not easily accessible.
As the province, we support the Minister's approach to road safety, which encourages a sustainable, co-ordinated effort in the battle against the carnage on the roads. Last month, we launched "Operation Masibambisane" in partnership with provincial traffic officers, the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality traffic officers, the department and the South African Police Service in order to restore law and order on the roads of that city. We are rolling out this initiative to other municipalities.
As the MEC for Transport, I have made road safety one of my flagship projects. We will develop a road safety management strategy in accordance with the newly developed National Road Safety Strategy, which is driven by the Road Traffic Management Corporation, RTMC. This strategy will also address some of our key safety challenges in the province, which include stray animal control and lending support to local authorities, ensuring pedestrian safety, better utilisation of road rangers to enhance road safety, enforcement, education, engineering and evaluation.
Another highlight in the traffic fraternity is the expected finalisation of the National Road Traffic Law Enforcement Code, which seeks to bring uniformity throughout the country. This code is in its final stage and should be legislated by the end of the financial year. We have successfully lobbied the RTMC for funds for an automated traffic management system and additional vehicles for our traffic office.
During this term, the Eastern Cape department of transport will further participate actively in the intervention projects. In conclusion, it is evident that today is better than yesterday and tomorrow looks more prosperous than today. Thank you. [Applause.]