Tshwane invites stakeholders to discuss public transport

The city is therefore taking a new approach to transport planning by collaborating with those whose livelihood depends on the quality of the transport network - its customers. The Transport Department of the City of Tshwane would be directly engaging with customers, communities, internal departments, other spheres of government, industry, transport specialists and operators from Monday, 3 September until Friday, 7 September. The meetings will take place at the Centurion Council Chamber daily between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Emphasis is on long-term plan

The city's consultation programme aims to involve the whole of the municipality in the process of creating a growth and development strategy with special emphasis on a long-term transport plan. The plan will outline a clear direction for transport over the next 40 years, building on current commitments underpinned by investment in roads, rail, airport and the bus rapid transport (BRT) project up to 2055.

The plan hopes to identify the role of each transport mode in meeting future needs including rail, road, buses, cycling and walking. The plan will also help develop a freight airport strategy that maximises the benefits to the city's and South Africa's economy. Anyone interested in improving transport in the City of Tshwane is encouraged to participate, whether as a commuter or a truck driver, an industry representative, a business person or part of local government.

All submissions will be considered

A discussion paper was released in July 2012 and submissions invited until end of September 2012. All submissions to be received during the thematic week, discussion paper and feedback from the various sessions will be considered as part of the development of the final draft of the City of Tshwane Long-term Transport Master Plan.

The focus of the Mayoral Outreach Programme will enable the city and its stakeholders and residents to look in depth on the key strategies that needs to be employed to deal with the following important issues:

• Increasing public transport use
  
• Reducing private car use
  
• To contribute to improved quality of life for present and future generations
  
• Economic opportunities within transport sector going into future
  
• Eco-mobility issues
  
• Non-motorised transport
  
• Roll-out of integrated public transport including the Tshwane BRT system
  
• Reducing congestion and its negative impact on growth and productivity
  
• Road safety and transit oriented development