MEC Jacobs hosts a successful National Transport Summit

06 October 2008

The Department of Public Transport Roads and Works held a successful Road Based National Transport Summit at Germiston Stadium, on the 05 th October 2008. The summit was themed “laying the foundation for 2010 World Cup and the role of Bus and Taxi industries in the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks”. Gauteng MEC for Public Transport, Roads and Works, Mr. Ignatius Jacobs was accompanied by the National Department of Transport Minister, Mr. Jeff Radebe, Director General, Ms Mpumi Mpofu, and other dignitaries at the summit.

The summit was held to address the opportunities that come with hosting a successful 2010 world cup, clearly explaining roles played by taxis and busses in the transport industry during 2010 and beyond.

MEC Jacobs stated that the purpose of the summit was to ensure that people in the transport industry engage to change the face of transport beyond 2010; to make sure that transport industry is safe, affordable, profitable and sustainable; to broaden participation and ownership of taxis and busses in the province as well as in the country and to outline the Gauteng strategic agenda.

In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Transport, said that he was pleased with the summit being held. “In the next three years to come we will see a much better organised public transport and freeways in much more better conditions”. He challenged women to take interest in transport industry as he wants to see them more involved.

The summit tackled the following issues amongst others:

• Framework for inclusion of Taxi and Bus operations & Labour into Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks ( IRPTNs);
• IRPTN Business Model: Progress & Challenges;
• IRPTNs and role of local and national/ provincial taxi bodies;
• National Road based operational plans; and
• 2010 road based operational plans.