Working towards an Integrated Transport System
A seamless transport system is an important component of the country’s economic development and will also benefit commuters
Aseamless transport system plays a key role in the economic development of South Africa.
The creation of an Integrated Transport System (ITS) in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), which calls for the development of economic infrastructure as the foundation of social and economic development.
The ITS is also part of the National Transport Master Plan, which is aimed at delivering a dynamic, long-term and sustainable transportation system framework which is demand responsive and that provides a coordinated transport agenda for the whole country.
It recognises that efficient, affordable and reliable transport systems are critical components of national economic development.
As the country marks Transport Month in October, PSM spoke to Themba Tenza, the Acting Deputy DirectorGeneral for Integrated Transport Planning (ITP) at the Department of Transport, about the importance of such a system and the progress the country is making in achieving it.
Movement of goods
He explains that South Africa needs to be able to move goods across the country and without any hiccups to become a viable economic destination.
The full implementation of the ITS will mean that goods that enter the country can be moved from an air or sea port to its destination through a connected rail and road system.
Tenza says such a feat would mean goods can be offloaded and loaded on the next transport mode without any waiting periods.
“In order for us to achieve the ITS we must thoroughly plan for it which is where the ITP plays a major role,” he says.
The ITP branch is working with public transport operators, road freight associations, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, South African National Roads Agency Limited and the department's Macro Sector Planning and Public Transport branches to ensure that the ITS is implemented by 2050.
“The ITS sets moving
targets as it changes with the demands of the population,” explains Tenza.
The ITS will result in the goods needed by businesses, ordinary citizens and the State reaching its destination at a much quicker rate. In addition, infrastructure projects that require specialised equipment will not be affected by delays.
“The ITS is going to be a relay race that does not have any latency. If you are moving goods and equipment from a harbour to a destination that is inland there will be linkage of systems that does not have huge waiting periods.
“The system will in essence ensure that the transfer of goods from the port to rail or road will move faster than is happening at the moment,” says Tenza.
Single ticketing system
The ITS is seeing success in the movement of goods between South Africa and Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
The use of a single ticketing system between SADC countries means that trucks moving goods are not delayed by red tape in SADC member states.
Tenza says the development of the ITS has helped improve access to goods by many more people and has seen the discovery of previously unknown transit corridors.
“In the process of building the ITS we have unveiled new corridors whose infrastructure we are now building.These corridors will make the transportation of goods much more efficient.”
Bus Rapid Transit system
The progress of the ITS is also evident in the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems across the country.
Currently, nine cities have a BRT system – A Re Yeng in Tshwane, MYCiTi in Cape Town, Rea Vaya in Johannesburg, Harambee in Ekhurhuleni, Libhongolethu in Nelson Mandela Bay, Go!Durban in eThekwini, Yarona in Rustenburg, Leeto la Polokwane in Polokwane and Go George in George.
The BRT is designed to move large numbers of people to all parts of a city quickly and safely. The system aims to link different parts of a city into a network.
Tenza says the department is working towards ensuring that the rail to road linkage as well as the BRT system is fully operation by 2023.
The linking of these systems will mean that ordinary South Africans are able to commute easier from one point to another.
“The Gautrain is an example of this. One can easily commute from or to OR Tambo International Airport and the three major municipalities in Gauteng using the train which will drop you at various stations. From these stations you can take the BRT, taxi or e-hailing service to your final destination,” explains Tenza.
Developments are also in the pipeline for the taxi industry.
“When it comes to the taxi industry we are now working on a single ticketing system for the industry.This ticketing system will see a person pay once for a trip that has different stages,” says Tenza.
The single ticketing system will enable commuters to pay for a single trip with many stops with a single swipe of a card. If a passenger is travelling from Pretoria to Kimberley on a taxi, they will pay a once-off fee even if there is an exchange of taxis in Johannesburg.
“The will also be safety with this system as taxi operators and passengers will not be carrying wads of cash with them,” adds Tenza.
The integration of public transport will encourage more commuters to opt for bus, trains and taxis for their daily commutes, thereby reducing the number of cars on the roads, which will benefit the environment.