MEDIA
RELEASE
Fr
Smangaliso Mkhatshwa's train ride and views on the public transport system
Father
Smangaliso Mkhatshwa - Pretoria Executive Mayoral Candidate undertook a train
ride from Pretoria Station to Atteridgeville as part of his election Campaign
for the 5 December 2000 Municipal Elections.
Father
Mkhatshwa emphasized the importance of an acceptable safe and efficient public
transport system by laying out his plans for public transport as an integrated
system.
The
apartheid system has created divisions in the public transport sector to such an
extend that today it creates a financial burden on users and government. The
time has come that we tackle this problem by looking at the transport spectrum
holistically.
By
working together with the National and Provincial government Tshwane will
·
Create a comprehensive public passenger transport policy
·
Formulate a rail passenger transport plan
·
Formulate a bus passport transport plan
·
Formulate a combi taxi transport plan
Father
Mkhatshwa also emphasized that the upgrading of public transport facilities as
well as effective traffic management would be seen as a priority.
He
also said that there will be a plan to ensure the effective police services to
combat crime.
Another
priority is the compilation of an integrated system for public transport which
will encompass the following:
1.
In terms of economic development, at a macro level Pretoria is centrally
situated in terms of the economic corridors that are being developed with our
Southern African neighbours. Efficient and effective ground transportation will
lead to greater trade links with neighbouring countries. At a micro-economic
level, with the inclusion of towns to the north of Pretoria that have been
traditional economically disadvantaged, transport/economic corridors that will
be sensitive to the economic growth of these areas will be developed.
2.
The international trend in big cities is urban decay, exodus from city centres
and neglect and has led to rejuvenation programmes in cities such as Atlanta,
Amsterdam and Sydney. One of the common solutions in all these cities was to
develop more effective and efficient public transport systems that would result
in less traffic in the inner- cities. This has the effect of making cities more
people friendly and decreases the pollution that causes the decay of
buildings.
The
restructuring of the Pretoria City bus service would also be a high priority in
order to break racial lines and serve all communities.
The
support of the Provincial "Gautrain Initiative" as well as the Metro's
MCDC corridor is also amongst Father Mkhatshwa's - to do list.
In
conclusion Father Mkhatshwa conveyed his condolences to yesterdays train crash
victims in Benoni.
A CV and Picture of Father Mkhatshwa can be found at: http://www.anc.org.za/elections/local00/biogs/smkhatshwa.html
Issued
by
ANC
PRETORIA REGION
Contact
Andries Nel: 082 576 6672