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3 July 2007

Programme Director
Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo
MEC for Public Transport, Roads and Works, Ignatius Jacobs
South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lucky Montana
Wits Regional Manager, Salani Sithole
Distinguished guests
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen

This auspicious occasion is a true embodiment of a continued journey for the revolution of our public transport system. It is therefore logical to locate the Soweto Business Express within the broader framework of the Government initiative to improve Public Transport System in view of our robust economic development.

It is my duty this morning not to spoil your celebratory mood but to make a few remarks on what the Soweto Business Express and the passenger rail service mean in relation to our Public Transport Strategy and Plan. As government it remains our resolve to achieve a high quality public transport network that integrates rail, bus and taxis to form a single efficient and effective public transport system. Our public transport strategy and plan serves as a beacon to accelerate the urgent attainment of this objective in order to ensure full access to economic and social opportunities by all our people.

It is only through an Accelerated Public Transport Modal Upgrade programme and Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks that we will be able to create a lasting legacy for our Public Transport with specific focus on the marginalized rural communities and the urban poor. And I'm delighted to say that our Public Transport Strategy and Plan does exactly that. Through our Strategy, the Basic Commuter Operations is due for a complete overhaul characterised by among other things a huge upgrade of modal fleet and facilities extended hours of operation ranging between 16 to 24 hours; peak frequencies of five to ten minutes; integrated feeder services including walking, cycling and taxi networks as well as electronic fare integration and single ticketing system.

The concrete foundation of our planning hinges upon a proper integration of Rail Priority Corridors, the Bus Rapid Transit Corridors, the improved regulation of the Taxi industry through the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP), as well as the completion of the Gautrain Rapid link. The building blocks of our strategy also depend on our willingness to increase investment on various modes of public transport and infrastructure. This underscores the urgent need for greater investment which is already evident in various public transport infrastructure projects such as:

* R8,5 billion for Passenger Rail Infrastructure
* R8,2 billion for Public Transport Infrastructure excluding rail
* R5,5 billion for National Roads Infrastructure
* R9,2 billion for the 2010 Public Transport Infrastructure Development
* R19,2 billion for airports infrastructure over a period of five years.

We have also invested R7,7 billion through the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, as part of transforming the taxi industry. More than 4 000 old taxis have already been scrapped and 100 000 operating licenses approved as part of our continued effort to regulate the taxi industry. We have also paid more than R200 million scrapping allowances to the taxi operators.

Passenger Rail is a critical component of our endeavour to transform the public transport system. And it remains a national competency even though the South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) continues to work very closely with Metros and other municipalities to ensure the delivery of rail services in a manner that supports their integrated transport plans (ITPs).

I am also encouraged that the SARCC is taking concrete steps to implement the National Rail Plan approved by Cabinet in December 2006. This plan has given us the opportunity to secure the future for passenger rail within the public transport system. It also reminds us that rail is the most appropriate mode to effectively move people in large volumes as is currently the case between Soweto and Johannesburg. As a result, the rail plan proposes in excess of 40 new railway extensions.

The plan has specifically identified interventions targeted at various corridors located within the greater Soweto areas such as the Bara-Link Extension; the link into Nasrec without having to travel through New Canada; the Nasrec track re-alignment. There is also a planned Naledi extension that will open up opportunities and access to Dobsonville, Braam-Fischer communities that currently do not enjoy access to rail services. These interventions will enable Metrorail to enhance the efficiency of its operations and reduce travel times for passengers using trains in Soweto.

The completion of the first phase of the consolidation of Metrorail into South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) has laid the foundations for a quantum improvement in rail services leading to 2010 Fifa World Cup. By end of April 2008, we aim to complete the second phase of the consolidation process with the transfer of Shosholoza Meyl to SARCC. This will allow SARCC to deliver long distance and regional services using Shosholoza Meyl effectively. Through the consolidation process, we are on course in creating a national passenger rail company that will serve as a powerful instrument in transforming and integrating public transport into a world class public transport system.

Shosholoza Meyl has a critical role in unleashing the development potential of our rural people and its services should not only be about long-distance services, but rather regional services within provinces as well. For example, Shosholoza Meyl will have to provide new services between the areas of Mthatha and East London, between Johannesburg and Rustenburg as well as Polokwane. It will also play a major role in the preparations for 2010 Fifa World Cup transporting spectators wishing to attend games between Johannesburg and Durban as well as between Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.

The 2010 Soccer World Cup presents us with a unique opportunity to accelerate the implementation of all these initiatives. Our public transport system needs to remain a lasting legacy long after the last goal is scored. Our set target of peak frequencies of 5 to 10 minutes particularly for rail service cannot be achieved without proper investments in the rolling stock.

Our plan is to ensure that by 2010, there is a train available every five minutes during peak periods. We will need to ensure that train services are available for at least 14 to 16 hours a day. To this end, government has committed almost R10 billion over the next three years to upgrade both rolling stock and infrastructure over the next three years. Investment in operations will also take over R6 billion during the same period.

As you are aware, the SARCC will construct a station next to the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium as part of the 2010 Fifa World Cup preparations. The Corporation intends to build a station next to the new Orlando Stadium and also upgrade stations such as Langlaagte, New Canada and Naledi Stations as well as the Doorfontein-Ellispark Station in Johannesburg. The Corporation is also involved in addressing the challenges of integrating commuter rail with the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link through the building of a new station at Rhodesfield. Most of these interventions are already underway and should contribute to the improvement of rail services leading to 2010.

I'm delighted to say that the introduction, today, of the Soweto Business Express within the current rail environment is a commendable initiative and will go a long way towards creating a culture of public transport among all South Africans. It is an important development that will create the breeding ground for the growth of public transport over private car use. I am aware that Metrorail intends to introduce similar services in Cape Town, between Johannesburg and Tshwane as well as in the Ethekwini Region within the coming months.

This initiative recognises that the public transport market is not homogeneous and that Metrorail is and should not be a service for only the poor. Middle and higher income groups have a strong demand for safe and reliable services, with strong emphasis on product offerings that offer speed, comfort and convenience. We want to transform Metrorail so that it is capable of delivering quality services that provide transport solutions for all South Africans irrespective of social status, class and background.

The timing for the introduction of the Express is also very opportune given the preparations for the World Cup. The Express will be used particularly to transport visitors to the games to be held at FNB Stadium as well as Loftus in Tshwane. We expect that the Express will also be deployed effectively by Metrorail as part of our transport operations plan for both the Confederation Cup in 2009 and ultimately the games in 2010. The Fifa family, international visitors and our own people stand to benefit from improved mobility through the Express service.

With those few words, I wish to commend Metrorail for this important initiative. I wish to call on the private sector and public corporations to join hands with Metrorail and purchase corporate packages for their employees. In this way, we will be able to grow this enterprising initiative and ensure that public transport gains ascendancy over private cars. Through increased use of train services, we will be able to reduce congestion, road crashes and air pollution. It is in the interest of the private sector to join hands with us in the efforts to improve public transport for the better. An increase use of rail will certainly result in functioning cities, improved productivity and a cleaner environment for us and our children.

Viva Soweto Business Express Viva! I thank you!

Issued by: Department of Transport
3 July 2007