Non-motorised transport plans for Johannesburg

The Transport Authority for Gauteng is a provincial entity that plans, integrates and coordinates transport systems across municipal and provincial boundaries

Dorothy Mabuza, new CEO of Gauteng Transport Authority, spoke to ESI Africa Editor-in-Chief Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl about changing the transport sector in Johannesburg to become more responsive to the needs of people, greener and more sustainable.

Mabuza pointed out transport in cities has an effect on climate change so changing the way people move about Johannesburg is something the Gauteng Transport Authority wants to address.

“Within the city region the mode of development that has been adopted is transit-oriented and that is then catalysed by the transport network.

“Over and above that, what we are currently conceptualising is renewable alternative energy strategies that we can put in place. We will not be working isolation but with the OEMs and other role players within this ecosystem,” said Mabuza.

She says the Authority’s aim is to attract people to move away from using their private vehicles, hence they are adopting a non-motorised transport strategy. They also want to focus more on freight management systems as transportation of freight is also considered a key contributor to the carbon footprint of transport in South Africa.

The Gauteng Transport Authority is identifying projects that will help move the province towards smart intermodal facilities where all modes of transport are integrated.

Cover photo:  The Gautrain at OR Tambo Station. Source: Gautrain Management Authority.