The Western Cape Government’s vision is “an open-opportunity society for all”, as reflected in the five Provincial Strategic Goals:
- PSG-1: Creating Opportunities for Growth and Jobs.
- PSG-2: Improving Education Outcomes and Opportunities for Youth Development.
- PSG-3: Increasing Wellness, Safety and Tackling Social Ills.
- PSG-4: Enabling a Resilient, Sustainable, Quality and Inclusive Living Environment.
- PSG-5: Embedding Good Governance and Integrated Service Delivery through Partnerships and Social Alignment.
This review of the Provincial Land Transport Framework supports these goals, and more directly through Provincial Strategic Goals 3 to 5. The Provincial Land Transport Framework is also fully aligned with the Department of Transport and Public Works’ vision, mission and strategy, as documented in its Strategic Plan 2015-2020. In this context its vision is “To lead in the delivery of government infrastructure and related services”, with its mission being “it delivers infrastructure and services to promote socio-economic outcomes and safe, empowered and connected communities.”
Within the context of the provincial and departmental strategic goals, the primary purpose of this document is to provide a high level strategic framework to serve as an overarching guideline for land transport planning in the Western Cape, and that also complies with the National Land Transport Act (Act No. 5 of 2009). The Act requires that the Provincial Land Transport Framework is renewed every five years and updated every two years. The previous document (2011/12 - 2015/16) has reached the end of its five year cycle, necessitating a full review for 2015/16 to 2020/21.
This review was a significant task, requiring compliance with an extensive set of prescribing guidelines to comply with the National Land Transport Act, and detailed research into the current status and future plans of the diverse components of the transport sector, with the ultimate Provincial Land Transport Framework goals and objectives responding to the sector and being aligned with the provincial and departmental objectives, encompassing:
- A review of the transport sector legal frameworks encompassing all relevant transport acts and regulations,
- A review of a wide range of strategic plans and policies, such as National Development Plan, National Transport Master Plan 2050, Medium Term Strategic Framework, National Land Transport Strategic Framework, National Department of Transport’s Strategic Plan, OneCape 2040, the Western Cape Government’s Provincial Strategic Plan, the Department of Transport and Public Works Strategic Plan and Integrated Transport Plans from over 30 district and local municipalities, and
- A review of a wide spectrum of national, provincial and industry reports and studies, specifically including the National Household Travel Survey, Annual State of Logistics Survey for South Africa, Sectoral and Entity Annual and Quarterly Performance Plans and Reviews.
In addition, a process of extensive stakeholder engagement and consultation was undertaken encompassing:
- Interviews with key stakeholders across the transport sector, including officials within the National Department of Transport, Department of Transport and Public Works, City of Cape Town and the Transport and Development Authority, district and local municipalities, Provincial Treasury, Department Economic Development and Tourism, Passenger Rail Agency South Africa and Transnet.
- Facilitation of consultative public workshops, to which the general public and key government officials were invited to open workshops at the following district municipalities and metros:
- West Coast District Municipality, in Moorreesburg, covering Berg River, Cederberg, Matzikama, Saldhanha Bay and Swartberg local municipalities,
- Eden District Municipality in George, covering Bitou, George, Kannaland, Knysna, Hessequa, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn local municipalities.
- Central Karoo District Municipality in Beaufort West, covering Beaufort West, Laingsburg and Prince Albert local municipalities,
- Overberg District Municipality in Bredasdorp, covering Cape Agulhas, Overstrand, Swellendam and Theewaterskloof local municipalities,
- Cape Winelands District Municipality in Stellenbosch, covering Breede Valley, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Witzenberg, and Langeberg local municipalities
- City of Cape Town Metro, covering the three sub-councils.
In the period preceding this comprehensive review we have made significant strides on several fronts. We have maintained and enhanced our transport infrastructure improvements while ensuring alignment with the priorities of the economic agenda of the province. Most notably, we have continued to lead the way with the introduction and expansion of the integrated public transport network and non-motorised transport, particularly in the City of Cape Town through MyCiTi and in the Eden District Municipality through GoGeorge and their associated non-motorised transport initiatives. It is also important to note that the Provincial Land Transport Framework has specifically encompassed the work and thinking being developed in the province pertaining to environmentally sustainable economic development where the province has been playing a leading role in alternative energy and green goal initiatives. In addition, we have continued to make significant progress in the devolution of planning functions to the local sphere of government and have been establishing a new institutional framework to enhance delivery, as currently being developed in the Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme initiative. In this regard, the Provincial Land Transport Framework has been aligned with the institutional thinking emerging from the Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme initiative – in particular the planning of transport initiatives to complement spatial development goals.
The new strategic direction that has been developed for this revision is embodied in seven strategic goals, namely:
- PLTF-1: Establish and operationalise a Public Transport Management Forum to manage and coordinate transmodal and transversal transport across the Western Cape.
- PLTF-2: Develop a transversal plan to promote transport safety and security for road, rail and non-motorised transport.
- PLTF-3: Promote and coordinate integrated transport.
- PLTF-4: Develop transport plans to respond to rural socio-economic challenges and development objectives.
- PLTF-5: Develop key transmodal strategies to promote economic efficiencies within transport.
- PLTF-6: Optimise transport fund sourcing and allocation.
- PLTF-7: Roll out the strategic goals and objectives to all transport entities.
An area where the Provincial Land Transport Framework has historically not been effectively and/ or proactively applied is the management and coordination of all modes of transport across the Western Cape - as reflected in the lack of a joint strategic planning and coordination process with parties such as Transnet, Passenger Rail Agency South Africa, Airports Company South Africa and Metrorail at a provincial level. The Department of Transport and Public Works management has acknowledged the need to implement the provincial coordination role as envisaged by the National Land Transport Act and the National Land Transport Strategic Framework. Accordingly, the following principles have been specifically applied in developing this Provincial Land Transport Framework:
- Development of a strategy that focuses on a limited number of highest priority provincial transport challenges, listing only seven goals (PLTF-1 to 7 above).
- Development of a mechanism to ensure that the new Provincial Land Transport Framework strategy will facilitate coordination across all the transport modes, sectors and entities, as reflected in the first goal (PLTF -1).
- Provision of a process to ensure ongoing proactive implementation of the strategy, as addressed in the proposed Provincial Transport Management Forum design, membership, and operating principles, as well as the incorporation of clear key performance indicators and target dates, along with vigorous and continuous monitoring and reporting from the outset.
It is envisaged that the Provincial Land Transport Framework strategy will go a long way to ensuring the challenges facing the provision of transport infrastructure that will be effective in striving to achieve the provincial vision of “an open-opportunity society for all”, through giving effect to the five Provincial Strategic Goals while also being aligned with the provincial development priorities. In addition, the implementation of the Provincial Land Transport Framework will be undertaken in a manner to ensure ongoing monitoring and performance measurement against the strategic goals and objectives.
Contact details
Zethembe Khuluse
Tel: 021 483 0277
E-mail: Zethembe.Khuluse@westerncape.gov.za