[Slide 1]
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for the opportunity to present on
some high level projects we are currently engaged in.
[Slide 2]
Over the past few years the City of Cape Town has been planning and implementing
Phase 1A of the MyCiTi bus project. The pilot phase of this service has been
operating for one year this month and we have recently reached 3 million passenger
journeys – a remarkable achievement on a limited service in an interim phase.
More important, perhaps then the number of passenger journeys, is that we have
demonstrated that an efficient, dignified, quality, safe and affordable public transport
service is achievable and that there is no reason for our residents to accept anything
less.
In a relatively short space of time, the MyCiTi bus product, service and brand
appears to have elevated the demand for quality public transport and is driving a
growing confidence in the potential for a decent public transport network.
Our residents are right to expect and demand a decent and convenient public
transport system and the time is right for us to not only extend what has been
achieved to other parts of the City but also to take responsibility for a commuter
focussed integrated public transport network, across both road and rail, in order to
achieve:

A universal high standard of public transport infrastructure and operations
across the city;

An integrated timetable for all modes

One ticket

One management system

One transport authority
And most of what we are working on, and what I will be presenting on today, talks
and supports achieving these objectives and revolutionising public transport as we
know it.
[Slide 3]
The National Land Transport Act of 2009, provides the City with the legislative
framework to tackle the historic fragmentation of transport services in the City and
enjoins and empowers us to bring about this integrated transport solution. The
NLTA thus provides the catalyst for change and a solution to the incoherent
devolution of public transport authority amongst the three spheres of government.
[Slide 4]
Our starting point is thus that the City of Cape Town is the transport authority –
managing the network’s services and infrastructure in an integrated cost-effective
way, for the benefit of all commuters across the City – to ensure that:

We have a universal standard of Transport Infrastructure that is well
maintained;

The Commuter experiences a seamless, safe, reliable and sensible public
transport service across all the modes

The system and network is responsive, well managed and integrated; and

The governance structure for the rollout of the integrated transport network is
sound and within the legislative parameters.
[Slide 5]
The City of Cape Town will be adopting a new IDP for 2012 to 2017 and then a new
Integrated Transport Plan for 2013-2018, within the overall context of the five
strategic focus areas. The ITP will be focusing on sustainable service delivery and
the realization of the overall vision of integrated transport through its implementation.
[Slide 6]
Within this context, our focus in the coming year is to set the parameters for the
devolution of various functions, taking cognizance of the City’s strategic focus. We
are at the beginning of a long and intensive process, which we are committed to and
the institutional vehicle that will drive this is the Transport Authority
[Slide 7]
We are currently working on establishing the City of Cape Town’s Transport
Authority. The focus of the authority will be the management of core components
such as finance, governance and administration of the transportation lifecycle –
including:

Public Transport Planning

Service Delivery standards for infrastructure, interoperability and operations

Management of operations for all modes of transport

Regulation, Compliance and Enforcement

Monitoring and evaluation for improved service delivery

Financial Management

Branding, Communication and Marketing
[Slide 8]
One of the functions that needs to be devolved from Province to the City is the
regulation and management of the operating licences for taxis (minibus and metered
taxis).
[Slide 9]
And some of the key elements that are currently being addressed, include:

Staffing for the function

Linkage to information management system of the City

Funding issues

Management and regulation parameters

Enhancing current operating practice

Consultation with the industry and transition to the new operating environment
with new electronic procedures

Communication and marketing
We expect to be in a position to formally request the Minister, via the MEC, to assign
the function to the City towards then of this year around the same time as we request
the assignment of the bus subsidy function.
[Slide 10]
This subsidy, known as the Public Transport Operating Grant, is currently being
managed by the provincial government. The NLTA provides that this function should
be devolved to the Cities. Our provincial government is in full agreement and we are
working towards the assignment of this function to take place at the end of the
Provincial Government’s 2012/13 financial year.
[Slide 11]
You are no doubt aware that the executive mayor has announced that the City is
working to ensure that we commence a MyCiti service to the Metro South East by
the end of 2013.
Analysis on the public transport demand has revealed that there is a substantial
need for additional services that complement the overburdened rail trunk as well as
the need to improve the quality of service being provided.
[Slide 12]
The Metro South East has some of the highest densities for the City of Cape Town
and there is an opportunity to provide important links between the high density areas
through an integrated public transport service.
[Slide 13]
As can be seen from the 2008 analysis, the Metro South East rail corridor is
operating over capacity.
We believe there is a definite need for a complimentary trunk to the Rail. The aim is
to develop a BRT Trunk that provides that complimentary service.
[Slide 14]
You will see from this slide that approximately 15% of all trips from the Metro South
East are destined for the CBD and that there are very strong movement corridors
between the Metro South East and Wynberg/Claremont and between the Metro
South East and Bellville.
Our focus is therefore to address these high demand corridors.
[Slide 15]
As I indicated we expect to commence an N2 Express service between Khayelitsha,
Mitchells Plain and the City by December 2013. It is not our intention for the MyCiTi
bus service to compete with rail and we are mindful of the fact that it is Metrorail’s
intention to upgrade the Chris Hani Rail corridor.
It is thus feasible that our N2 Express service could be an interim service, to support
the urgent mobility needs of these communities. Should the service no longer be
required we will be able to divert the infrastructure and buses to serve the other
Metro South routes which we will be also be implementing.
[Slide 16]
Work on the roll out of integrated public transport to the Metro South East has
commenced – and while the first step in the process will be the commencement of
the N2 Express Service – this will be delivered alongside the roll out of other
initiatives so that we ensure a comprehensive transformation of public transport to
this part of our City. These interventions include:

Planning and implementing a BRT (MyCiTi) trunk route from the Metro South
East to Wynberg & Claremont;

Finalising the contracts for the subsidised services to align with the BRT

Upgrading of the Public Transport Interchanges / Hubs in prioritised corridors
and aligning these with the Transport Authority brand

Upgrading and replacing of the public transport street furniture along the
identified corridors

Roll out of MyConnect to subsidised contracts and rail

One timetable and One ticket

Rail modernisation and upgrading of their facilities.
This slide indicates the priority corridors we have identified for implementation of
BRT-proper in Phase 2 of the MyCiTi project. We will be starting with corridor 1 – the
MSE to Claremont/Wynberg link – using the Landsdowne / Wetton Road corridors.
Planning and implementation for this will commence in the coming financial year and
funding has been secured from National Government.
[Slide 17]
I indicated that part of the integrated solution to the public transport crisis in the
Metro South East is also to invest in upgrading the supporting infrastructure and
furniture. One of the PTI’s identified for development is the current long-distance taxi
rank at Site C Khayelitsha which presents the opportunity to integrate road and rail
services.
[Slide 18]
We announced last week that we intend to invest over R300m over the next few
years on developing new public transport hubs and upgrading existing ones where
there is high demand. This public transport interchange at Makaza in Khayelitsha is
on the first that will be addressed in the new financial year and will be the possible
prototype for infrastructure under the Transport Authority brand.
[Slide 19]
I think the pictures speak of the tremendous need – for themselves.
[Slide 20]
The Bellville PTI also needs to be upgraded, especially in terms of the interface
between bus, taxi and rail services. There is a need to update the branding and
provide facilities for the MyConnect Card to be purchased and uploaded. There is
also a need for unified information dissemination and an e-information system. This
PTI has also been identified for investment as part of the R300m earmarked for the
upgrade of PTI’s.
[Slide 21]
This slide indicates the current state of much of our transport street furniture – not
conducive to providing a dignified service and not encouraging of the use of public
transport. It is thus our priority to upgrade the street furniture, starting as part of the
Metro South East integrated transport project.
[Slide 22]
These are the shelters and stops being implemented of the MyCiTi service and it is
this standard and quality of street furniture that we want to see gracing our streets
across the city.
[Slide 23]
There has been much media interest and speculation with regards to the City’s
future role in commuter or passenger rail.
[Slide 24]
International best practice indicates that sustainable, successful globally competitive
cities are reliant on integrated, multi-modal public transport systems.
We regard rail as the backbone of our public transport service and in this context, the
integration objectives for Cape Town are:

Improved connectivity across the City through an integrated, intermodal and
interoperable transportation approach.

Focus on efficiency, cost effectiveness, improved information and a
commuter-oriented environment.

Innovative, technologically advanced solutions that focus on viability,
sustainability and functionality.
Seeing our role as Transport Authority through to its logical conclusion, and in order
to successfully deliver on a real multi-modal integrated public transport system,
requires that the City becomes the planning and contracting authority over
passenger rail in the City and we are working towards this.
[Slide 25]
The City hosted a Rail Summit in February 2012 where substantial progress was
made in terms of the development of a working partnership between the City of Cape
Town, PRASA and Metrorail, and Province.
Emanating out of the Summit were a number of key interventions that will be the first
phase of a partnership approach to implementation.
These interventions include:

The City is to conduct a due diligence of the Passenger Rail Services. This
study is supported by the National Minister of Transport, by National Treasury
(who have contributed financially to the study) and by the Provincial MEC for
Transport. The contract has been put out to tender and we expect to make an
appointment soon.

The City will explore the roll out an integrated timetable for all public transport
services, including rail and also to then manage the communication thereof.

PRASA will look into being part of an the extension of the TMC and to roll out
the installation of cameras in strategic areas. This is to improve access
control and link to the existing services provided at the TMC.

City will look at the roll out of the MyConnect Card on to the passenger rail
services.

PRASA/Metrorail to look at investment in identified Rail Stations so as to align
to the City’s integrated transport strategy and branding plan.
[Slide 26]
We are embarking on a bold programme to bring about fundamental change to our
current fragmented and inefficient public transport system.
Bringing about an integrated, efficient, affordable, frequent and safe public transport
network is non-negotiable for the future of our city and for this administration to
deliver on our electoral mandate which is to build a city that is:

Safe

Well Run

Caring

Inclusive

And that provides opportunities
A decent public transport service is at the heart of our programme to undo the
spatial, economic and social inequalities that divide us and to bring dignity, mobility
and inclusion to all our residents.
We will get there by focussing on:

The Commuter

The Infrastructure

The Governance.