01 July 2009
The Department's 2008 Schools Art Competition winners, the Gauteng Youth in Public Transport (GYIPT) and officials of the department attended the 58 th International Association of Public Transport (UITP) World Congress, Mobility and City Transport, held in Vienna , Austria from 5-12 June 2009. The aim of the congress was to encourage participation in finding public transport solutions to problems faced by cities throughout the world.
UITP is an international organization for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.
The Department's Transport Management Chief Director, Mr Eze Raboroko presented a paper in the session titled: 'Transport authorities create the conditions for better or worse'. Mr. Raboroko is also the UATP ( African Association of Public Transport) Southern Africa Vice President. This presentation affirms the Department's standing throughout the world in seeking solutions to the problems faced by transport authorities. This also afforded the Department an opportunity to share its experiences with other international bodies.
As part of the delegation, GYIPT and the winners of the Department's Schools Competition took part in discussions on public transport challenges with other learners and youth from other countries. This provided the youth of Gauteng a platform to share their experiences and understanding of how the youth in other countries are dealing with issues associated with public transport. The GYIPT is an organization that provides learners in the province an opportunity to articulate and debate public transport matters. The team also had a chance to attend the UITP's Youth Awards.
The Department's presence at the congress confirmed its role and status in the field of public transport management. It has grown its stature in areas of managing, addressing and attending to public transport issues throughout the world.
