01 July 2009

The City of Tshwane recently hosted a workshop on the Reform of Public Transport in partnership with the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility, the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program and the World Bank.

The workshop was designed for high policy officials and senior and middle managers of urban transport agencies at all levels of government (national, provincial/state and municipal).

The three-day workshop was devoted to an overview of metropolitan strategic transport planning and public transport reform, covered public transport investment, service and operations, planning, traffic management and finance.

Presented through a series of lectures, case studies and open discussion, the workshop covered a variety of urban transport topics with emphasis on public transport planning and reform, parking and traffic management.

Councillor Subesh Pillay, Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Public Works and Infrastructure Development said in his opening address that "the course is presented at a very opportune time when many cities in our country are currently planning and implementing public transport interventions to significantly improve public transport."

He said "the transformation of public transport is a major priority for our government to improve the quality of life of our people".

The workshop was attended by 65 delegates of whom 14 delegates were from Nigeria, Lesotho, Zambia, Kenya and Rwanda.

The South African delegates came from the City of Tshwane, the South African National Roads Agency, the Department of Transport, The Gauteng Transport Management Agency, academic institutions, provincial administrations, other cities in South Africa and consultants involved in public transport.

One of the case studies on the introduction of a Bus Rapid Transit system in the City of Lagos, Nigeria was viewed as relevant to the South African situation.

Presentations were made by the Metropolitan Transport Authority of Lagos and officials of the existing taxi and mini-bus operators. The emphasis of their presentations was how existing operators became part of the BRT system. Further interaction with the Nigeria project team is envisaged.

Pillay said "We are also delighted to welcome 14 representatives from the African Continent, sponsored by the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program. This re-enforces our government's commitment to give special focus to the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development as stated in the State of the Nation Address by President Zuma".

The leader of the delegation and Lead Transport Economist at the World Bank, Ajay Kumar said "he was delighted at the interest in the workshop. The aim of the PPIAF and the World Bank with these workshops is to share experiences and best practice from the rest of Africa and around the world to enable public transport practitioners and decision makers to make the most informed choices".

Source: Tshwane
Tshwane.gov.za