Government thanks society and the media for Transport Month support

4 November 2013

Government wishes to thank all South Africans, the transport industry at large and the media for their support and continuously carrying the positive messages of development during the October Transport Month.  
 
South Africa’s urban landscape has significantly changed over the last 19 years with the transport infrastructure at the centre of this makeover. Today its main cities are characterised by better roads, rapid bus services, dedicated transit lanes, luxury commuter and business express trains.
 
Many of the freeways have been upgraded with extra lanes and new interchanges have been built to alleviate traffic congestion. These changes are a result of an intensive effort by government to develop and improve the infrastructure of the country’s transport system.
 
The  transport investments have been transforming the way in which South Africans live and interact with each other. For many South Africans it has meant an improvement in the quality of life as services, places of work, study and entertainment have become more accessible.
 
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Port Elizabeth is a prime example of linking thousands of commuters with their place of work through a fast, safe and cost-effective daily service.
By the end of this current financial year government will have invested more than R5, 5 billion on planning, building and operating the public transport networks in 13 cities around the country.
 
As the country gears up to celebrate 20 Years of Freedom next year the successes in the transport sector demonstrate what can be achieved by steadily working together.
 
Going forward government will continue to invest and develop the country’s transport system to change lives and revitalise our economic landscape.
 
As we head towards the festive season, we take this opportunity to remind South Africans of the importance of road safety.  We encourage motorists to observe the following road safety tips:

• Drinking and driving is a criminal offence
• Use a seatbelt and adjust the speed according to prevailing road conditions
• Keep a safe following distance and do not talk on the phone or text whilst driving 

 In an effort to clamp down on road carnage, government is relying on motorists to change their behaviour on the road to help realise the undertaking by government to reduce the number of road deaths by half in 2020. 
 
Enquiries:
Phumla Williams 083 501 0139
 
Issued by Government Communication and Information System