MEDIA RELEASE 4 October 2006 Johannesburg TRANSPORT MONTH ACTIVITIES Yesterday, 03 October 2006, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Transportation in the City of Johannesburg accompanied by councillors in the section 79 committee and officials participated in various activities to promote transportation in Region G, south of Johannesburg. This is part of the city's initiatives to promote and highlight the October Transport Month. Transport Month and Public Transport Day on 20 October are all about - changing mindsets. In the short term they aim to promote the use of public transport and good environmental management practices. In the longer term the aim is to get people to think differently about the impact private cars have on traffic congestion, air and noise pollution and the high number of accidents. Today's programme started with a Special Patrol by the MMC's entourage assisted by the members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department on the Golden Highway - between Vlakfontein and Zakarriya Park. The purpose of this exercise was to create high visibility of law enforcement activities on or off the roads and to afford the MMC to engage with motorists and the general public on issues of safety. The next stop was at the "Be Safe Centre" in Orange Farm where more than 200 children from Matiwane Primary School were trained on the subjects of Bus Safety, Traffic Signals and Road Safety. The crew then proceeded to various schools in Eldorado Park to give a talk to kids on storm water drains and signage, including the importance of reporting open manholes to ensure that they are covered. The highlight of the day was a visit to Apex Primary School in Lenasia, where members of the JMPD trained a group of children on traffic violations and contraventions of traffic violations. The group was then dispatched to the road in the company of the JMPD officers to issue mock fines to motorists contravening the traffic laws. The City is committed to addressing its current and future transport challenges, and all stakeholders are encouraged to take part in all activities planned for this month as part of the Transport Month. The City's calendar of activities for the month is posted on the website. ENDS Issued by: Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za