WITH the growing population in Ekurhuleni, the metro has embarked on a project which it envisions will allow commuters to travel with a transport service that is affordable, reliable and safe.
The Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), which is implemented under the metro’s Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CIPT), was presented to residents at a public information session at the civic centre last week. The project is already in its first phase where construction can be seen in Kempton Park and Tembisa.
Once completed, the phase 1 north section will run from Tembisa via Kempton Park to Vosloorus and will launch in 2016.
Transport MMC, Clr Thumbu Mahlangu; divisional head: support services, Siyabonga Nodu; and director: IRPTN infrastructure transport department, Philip du Plessis, each presented an aspect of the project so residents could have an idea of what to anticipate over the coming years.
The CIPT is available for comments, questions and queries until the end of June and can be viewed on www.ekurhuleni.gov.za or at customer care centres.
The CIPT was put together to address the metro’s transport which will hopefully see commuters opting to use public transport provided by the metro and reduce traffic congestion.
“In South Africa we are moving slowly shifting away from car-oriented transportation by the provision of reliable, safe and affordable public transportation as well non-motorised transport such as walking and cycling,” explained Nodu.
The main aim of the IRPTN is to provide transportation that gives commuters choice – with the system being integrated, commuters can move from a bus, to a taxi, catch a train, walk or cycle with the aim of catering for a wider spectrum of users.
Part of the main challenges that Nodu discussed were that of improving the current conditions of public transport facilities, namely taxi ranks, bus stops and railway stations across the metro. He noted that this matter had to be addressed rigorously and thoroughly over the next five years to ensure that the facilities were adequate for commuters.
“Another challenge is to ensure that the nine towns which aren’t directly connected end up allowing commuters to move seamlessly from one to another. We look at routes such as the R21, N17, N12 and the Gautrain, which provide us with regional linkages and have incorporated these into CIPT,” said Nodu.
The project is not only about the construction of new transport networks but also the upgrade of networks that are already in the metro to ensure that they all align with what the metro hopes to achieve through CIPT.
“We want to move people out of their cars and into our system by ensuring they experience seamless travelling within the metro and in future across metros and eventually provinces.
“The rapid bus systems, namely Rea Vaya and MyCiti in Joburg and Cape Town respectively, have helped us to see where our system would fall short and has helped our teams come up with our integrated comprehensive network,” added Mahlangu.
Du Plessis said the first phase included the construction of surfaced sidewalks, pedestrian walkways and cycle paths over five months in Kempton Park and Tembisa.
“You will see contractors on site on Pretoria Road, between Beukes Road and Van Riebeeck Park Railway Station, as well as at Reverend RTJ Namane Drive between George Nyanga Road and DM Marokane Road and Brian Mazibuko Drive East and West in Tembisa,” said Du Plessis.
The second phase will see the construction on the main route (known as a trunk route). This will see Reverend RTJ Namane Drive being widened to four lanes between Flint Mazibuko and Brian Mazibuko Drive.
The third phase of construction which will begin in July this year will also take place on Reverend RTJ Namane Drive from Brian Mazibuko Drive to Andrew Mapheto Drive and along Andrew Mapheto Drive between Reverend RTJ Namane and DM Marokane Drive.
“Construction of dedicated bus lanes will begin on Zuurfontein Road and Andrew Mapheto Drive,” added Du Plessis.
Mahlangu reiterated that the project was metro-based and not ward-based and therefore contractors employed during construction and development would be from across the metro.
Information of IRPTN can be found on www.letsmovetogether.co.za
