October 11, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana
CONGESTION was the hot topic at the Transport Month Dialogue, held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown on Wednesday, 10 October.
The dialogue was part of the programme of activities the City is undertaking during Public Transport Month. October has been set aside nationally to encourage people to use public transport to cut congestion and exhaust emissions, which contribute significantly to global warming.
Wednesday's discussion looked closely at the effects of congestion and explored ways to alleviate traffic jams.
Talking public tranport: some of the members of the panel were the Junior Speaker Palesa Nombula; Fahdia Casson from the Speaker's Office; Brutus Nemukula, representing Joburg commuters; and Charles Hlebela from Metrobus
Opening the dialogue, the member of the mayoral committee for transport, Rehana Moosajee, said, "We need to work together as cyclists, motorists, bikers, pedestrians, bus and minibus drivers, in order to make our public transport facilities better and efficient."
Eight panellists took part, consisting of representatives from the City of Johannesburg, the Junior Council, minibus taxi organisations and Metrobus. Rehaan Coetzee from Think Bike was the facilitator.
"To reduce time consumption and save money, the public should consider using other modes of transport like motorbikes, bicycles and buses," Coetzee said.
Metrobus's Jeff Ngcobo said people spent at least three hours in traffic during peak hours and "that should not be happening".
The City's Rea Vaya project, a mass transport initiative, was also discussed. It is aimed at reducing the number of cars on the roads during peak periods, and so reducing congestion. It includes the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and Ride Smart, a form of lift clubs.
According to Moosajee, the project will incorporate various transport sectors, including minibus taxis and buses. "Sharing rides is cheaper and helps to reduce traffic congestion."
Gary Ronald from the Automobile Association (AA) advised motorists to share rides with their colleagues, friends and family. "It is the easier way and much cheaper to catch a ride in one car, especially if you live and work in the same area as family members."
The panel also spoke about public transport and safety. James Mothupi, who represented commuters, said that once the BRT was up and running "it will be easy for us commuters to choose which mode of transport we want to use and it will be much safer".
For her part, the junior Speaker, Palesa Nombula, said park-and-ride facilities needed to be set up. "The City should ensure tight security at these places."
Wrapping up the dialogue, Coetzee spoke about the challenges faced by people with limited mobility, and the panel spoke about ways of catering for people with disabilities, including blindness.
Wheelchair-bound Jerry Magagula, a representative from the Gauteng Commuter Organisation, said, "At times we have to pay for our wheelchairs and it's not fair … Taxi ranks and train stations should re-design their platforms in order for us to have easy access."
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