Transport Minister Barbara Creecy delivered the keynote address while officially launching the 2026 October transport month campaign in Midrand on October 1.

The launch highlighted how transport remains a lifeline for jobs, trade, education, and dignity across South Africa. This year’s campaign runs under the theme: Progress in improving reliability, safety, sustainability and affordability of the transport system.

Creecy was joined by Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, who unpacked government plans surrounding the national roll-out of the administrative adjudication of road traffic offences, the Road Accident Fund turnaround programme, and the national road safety strategy.

Read more: Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport

The high-level distinction dialogue was hosted by the Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership, in partnership with the National Press Club and the department of transport, bringing together senior leaders from across the transport sector for direct engagement with the media on performance, reform, and service delivery.

“This year has been a difficult one for households, bus and taxi operators, and the broader freight and logistics industry,” said Creecy. “Our geopolitical environment is not of our choosing.

Its impact on supply chains, trade routes and the fuel price is there for all to see. From our side, we are doing everything in our power to make public transport more affordable.”

The minister highlighted progress made in restoring passenger rail services, stating that 35 of 40 priority passenger rail lines had been recovered over the past two years, including part of the Midway to Lenz route.

“Prasa passenger trips rose from 10 million in 2020/21, after the pandemic, to an audited figure of 101 million at the end of the 2025/26 financial year,” she said.

“On average, a Prasa passenger pays between R12 and R15 for a return trip at peak hours, depending on the distance travelled.” She said the government would continue refurbishing rail tracks, signalling systems, and stations to improve the frequency and punctuality of services while accommodating higher passenger volumes.

Hlengwa said the department had strengthened its governance and institutional performance, achieving a second consecutive clean audit following the clean audit for the 2024/25 financial year. “This is an important demonstration of our commitment to sound financial management, accountability and responsible stewardship of public resources,” he said.

“We continue to strengthen compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and to ensure that good governance is translated into improved service delivery.”

He said the department’s work was guided by six priority targets aimed at improving passenger, freight, and logistics systems over the next four years. These include moving 250 million tonnes of freight on the Transnet network by 2029, improving the speed of loading and unloading ships to the international benchmark of 30 gross crane moves per hour, and ensuring that the rail system provides safe, reliable, and affordable transport to workers and families.

Also read: Transport minister outlines SA’s ambitious 2029 road safety and transport targets

Government is also targeting 600 million passenger journeys by 2030, growing aviation to 42 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of air freight through the Airports Company South Africa network by the end of the policy term, and reducing road fatalities by 45% by 2029 and 50% by 2030.

Throughout October, the transport sector will showcase projects and initiatives aimed at highlighting the role of transport in supporting trade, economic development, and access to opportunities.

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