Transport Month

1 - 31 October

October is Transport month and this year, the focus falls on job creation and service delivery. The Department of Transport aims to create 68 675 jobs through the S’hamba Sonke In the 2011/12 financial year. S'hamba Sonke is a nation wide drive to focus on maintenance and construction of secondary road infrastructure, using labour intensive methods. In partnership with provinces and municipalities, the Department of Transport is improving access to schools, clinics and other social and economic opportunities by drastically upgrading the secondary road network and fixing and repairing potholes throughout the country.

The programme is expected to create opportunities for emerging contractors and jobs across the country. R6.4 billion has been set aside in 2011/12, R7.5 billion in 2012/13 and R8.2 billion for 2013/14, amounting to a total of R22.3 billion in the medium-term.

The expenditure will go towards:

Fixing potholes on our roads
Creating access to schools and clinics and other public facilities
The rehabilitation of key arterial routes that support the rural economy through labour intensive projects
Prioritising the use of labour absorptive systems, including a “know your network programme”

Public Transport

Transport Month also throws the spotlight on the state and use of public transport in South Africa. Government continues to pump resources into upgrading public transport. Examples of this capital expenditure incude the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) that is being rolled out in various cities and the Gautrain.

The Department of Transport through Passenger Rail Agency of South African (PRASA) is also investing large amounts of money to overhaul the passenger rail industry. The focus is on investing in infrastructure based on the Rail Plan priorities and the Priority Rail Corridor strategy approved by Cabinet in 2006.

The priority rail corridor strategy focuses the rail industry resources on those corridors or routes where rail has a clear comparative advantage.
A significant proportion of the existing rolling stock is due for de-commissioning between 2013 and 2015. PRASA will spend R97 billion over 18 years on the purchasing of new rolling stock. This programme will create an estimated 100 000 jobs and develop skilled and semi-skilled personnel in respective areas.

More information on transport in South Africa:

Speeches and statements on Transport Month

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Last modified: 07 October 2011 07:51:33.