Minister Creecy Commits To Stabilize South Africa's Transport Sector

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy said her first task in the seventh administration is to stabilize the transport system and make the department fit to fulfill its policy-making and regulatory role.

She affirmed that despite challenges in the transport sector, the department remains dedicated to fulfilling its responsibilities to the people of South Africa. She also tabled the department's Budget Vote at Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Transport on Monday.

Speaking at the department's Budget Vote at Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Transport on Monday, the minister noted that the transport department has become "disconnected" from its vision.

"[Today], we would all agree that an efficient and functioning transport sector that moves people and goods safely, speedily and affordably across the length and breadth of our country is the key to a successful economy," she said, SA News reported.

She added, "In recent times, there has been a disconnect between this vision and the realities of our transport system and our national Transport Department. Our sector is not operating as either an effective economic facilitator or as a much-needed social service."

Furthermore, the transport minister acknowledged that her department faced numerous challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This included disruptions to the freight system, causing significant delays in moving essential bulk minerals, containers and vehicles.

Issues like dysfunctional port terminals led to extended wait times for ships and congestion at key border crossings and national highway routes. The freight rail system suffered from maintenance delays, cable theft and a shortage of skilled personnel.

Creecy highlighted the widespread deterioration of road infrastructure across the country, with many provinces failing to carry out maintenance and new construction projects, resulting in unspent funds being returned to the National Treasury.

She emphasized the importance of the newly formed National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC) in addressing these critical issues.

"The NLCC has three distinct objectives: improving the operational performance of industry supply chains, including freight rail and ports; implementing reforms to modernize the freight transport system for efficiency and competitiveness, and necessary regulatory change or exemptions to enable efficient procurement and adequate funding for network maintenance," she said.

Regarding the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the transport minister highlighted ongoing challenges such as infrastructure damage and cable theft. Despite these issues, PRASA has been reopening passenger rail lines, with 28 out of 40 priority lines now fully operational.

As of March this year, 256 stations in cities across the country are fully operational, facilitating public transport access. Efforts are ongoing to rehabilitate and open more key commuter routes.

Last month, PRASA announced that 31 out of 40 rail routes are now operational after extensive theft and vandalism severely damaged the country's rail network during the COVID-19 lockdown, according to Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Hishaam Emeran.