Some quotes from the forum

“By the next century, Africa will contain more than 39% of the world’s population, which begs the question: how do we provide sustainable public transport that does not damage the environment, but contributes to wellness and a way of life?” — Dr Paul Vorster, chief executive, Intelligent Transport Society of South Africa.

“Railways to airports really open up opportunities for the city with cheap and reliable public transport.” — Milda Manomaityte, director, Global AirRail Alliance.

“It is crucial to include a roads plan with a public transport plan.” — Chris Britz, operations lead: civil infrastructure, AECOM.

On taxis

“Taxis are now a vital part of public transport. They are flexible and agile and and while there is conflict, they provide a service the state cannot provide.” — Dr Ismail Vadi, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport.

“Density plays a vital role in providing capacity into the public transport network, with taxis as an alternative.” — Laverne Dimitrov, transport specialist, Development Bank of Africa.

“An eTicket system in place provides great opportunities to help put taxis into an integrated system.” — Christo Venter, associate professor: department of civil engineering, University of Pretoria.

Symbiosis

“Gautrain and upgrading OR Tambo International Airport were not different business cases, but co-cases with a symbiotic relationship, both setting a world standard for inter-nodal integration.” — Kesavan Naicker, group manager, Acsa.

“Metrorail and the Gautrain are seen as the very core of the public transport system in the province. In fact, they constitute the backbone of the public transport system in the Gauteng city-region. We say this as rail helps to restructure urban space, improves city sustainability, and reduces travel distances and time. It further offers affordable public transport and value for money to the user.”

Over the two days, delegates and speakers engaged in discussions on the major air-rail issues emerging on the African continent. The conference was a partnership with the Global AirRail Alliance (Gara), the Gauteng department of roads and transport, the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) and the African Association of Public Transport (UATP).

“This conference forms part of Gauteng’s focus on public transport issues during October Transport Month, wherein we promote public transport, sustainable mobility and road safety,” said Vadi. “This year’s theme for public transport month is ‘The modernisation of the public transport system in Gauteng’. The concept is derived from the provincial government’s multi-pillar programme of radical transformation, modernisation and re-industrialisation of Gauteng.”

In 2013, the Gauteng Provincial Government approved the 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25). The ITMP25 provides the overarching planning framework that assists the Gauteng department of roads and transport, in collaboration with other spheres such as the GMA and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), to develop and extend the rail network into an integrated and efficient public transport system to serve the transport needs of Gauteng’s citizens.

“Based on the ITMP25, our work over the next few years will focus strongly on two principal areas. Firstly, the modernisation of Metrorail, which entails the manufacturing and acquisition of new rolling stock, the roll-out of a new signalling system and the upgrading and renovation of railway stations along its priority corridor,” said Vadi.

“Metrorail is ailing. It has a 45-yearold copper cabling system, is prone to theft and [has] an aged signalling system directing old and outdated carriages.

Powerful metros

“Then we will be looking at expanding the Gautrain system and once political consultation processes are completed, the now completed feasibility study will be made public. We are confident that the modernisation of Metrorail and the proposed extension of the Gautrain rapid rail network will result in a significant and decisive shift from private vehicle to public transport use, which in turn will help reduce traffic congestion, enhance efficiency and promote sustainability in the Gauteng city-region as a whole.