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President Cyril Ramaphosa says while there is still much work to do, South Africa is on track “towards a public transport system that is safer, more efficient and more affordable”.
On the right track
He was addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter on Monday.
“While we have achieved important progress in restoring our freight and passenger rail systems, we have much further to go. We will need far more investment, more effective use of technology and closer collaboration between all stakeholders.
“We are now on the right track towards a public transport system that is safer, more efficient and more affordable – and that supports the growth of an inclusive economy, reduces poverty and creates employment,” said the President.
The President highlighted that an “efficient, safe and affordable movement of people and goods around the country is essential” for the country’s economic growth and jobs.
“Goods that are produced by our workers need to move from mines, factories and farms to our country’s markets and international markets through our ports. People need to be transported to workplaces, clinics, hospitals and schools. When our transport system works well, then the cost of doing business is lowered and our country’s products and services are more competitive,” he said.
Costs too high
President Ramaphosa acknowledged that transport costs are too high which keeps some South Africans having to spent large portions of their income on transport.
“Affordable public transport helps to reduce the cost of living for millions of South Africans. Our public transport system is in a poor state due to a lack of investment over many years, as well as theft and vandalism, especially during the COVID pandemic.
“Without affordable and reliable alternatives, households spend a large proportion of their income on transport. Fixing public transport therefore plays a big role in reducing poverty.
“Much progress has been made in restoring urban passenger rail to full service. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has to date restored 31 out of 40 priority rail corridors back to operation.
By March this year, 40 million passengers were using public trains, nearly three times more than the year before,” he said.
Looking to the future
President Ramaphosa said although government is hard at work dealing with the current challenges, work is also underway to secure the future of transport through the development of a National Rail Masterplan.
This, the President said, will “cover passenger rail in our cities, including rapid rail” and high-speed rail. This work required for the development of the plan is expected to conclude by the end of next year.
“The achievement of our ambitious targets will require considerable investment in infrastructure, rolling stock and signalling. We will need to make use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, in areas like cargo tracking, passenger ticketing and securing critical infrastructure.
“The government alone will not be able to carry the scale of the investment needed. That is why we are working to mobilise private sector investment in rail and port operations, while ensuring that the infrastructure remains State-owned,” he said.
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