WC and Gauteng link up for rail devolution and mini-bus taxi reform workshop
This week, Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie hosted Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela in Cape Town for a three-day intergovernmental workshop on transport matters of mutual concern for the two provinces.
Over the three-day programme, delegates shared presentations, information, questions and ideas on two key priorities:
- the devolution of passenger rail and
- support for reforming the mini-bus taxi industry.
The aim of the engagement was to share information, learn from each other and collaborate to identify solutions for the transport needs of commuters in South Africa.
The delegation from Gauteng included senior officials from the Department of Roads and Transport and executives from the Transport Authority for Gauteng (TAG) and the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA).
The Western Cape Mobility Department (WCMD) facilitated the learning exchange, with participation by the City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate. Both the Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde and Executive Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis joined the group for priority discussions.
Additional activities included site visits and rides with public transport partners and a demonstration of the WCMD’s Integrated Transport Hub, to show how innovation and technology are being leveraged to integrate services that make the Western Cape safer.
Minister Mackenzie said, “This time spent with MEC Diale-Tlabela and her delegation has shown us the value of connecting to exchange ideas and learn from each other. We share many of the same challenges in enabling communities to access opportunities with dignified, safe, reliable and affordable mobility options. I am thrilled with the resolution to continue collaborating and have no doubt that it will result in real progress for people needing to get to work and school in our province.”
MEC Diale-Tlabela said, “This bilateral marks a key intergovernmental milestone between the Gauteng Department of Transport and Logistics and the Western Cape Mobility Department.”
“The deliberations touched on devolution of rail; change management; improving efficiencies and modernising the mini-bus taxi and bus Industries utilising technologies; financial sustainability models; aviation components through the innovation in drones; minimising fatalities on roads by tapping into state of the art technological systems; integration between the diverse transport modes and the single ticketing system; as well alignments within the three spheres of government.”
“We are extremely excited and grateful with the knowledge shared amongst us and will be collaborating with a few agreed ideas to speed up service delivery and to create innovation and advance the implementation of an integrated transport system.”
Media Enquiries:
Lesiba Mpya – Spokesperson for Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela
078 450 9841 or pressoffice.gpdrt@gauteng.gov.za
Rebecca Campbell – Spokesperson for Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie
076 783 2583 or Rebecca.Campbell@westerncape.gov.za