A reliable and efficient transport system is essential to the functioning of society, Transport Minister Ben Martins said on Monday.
“It has great influence and bearing on the location and range of economic and leisure activities,” Martins told the Southern African Transport Conference in Pretoria.
“It influences the mobility of people. In some, it influences the quality of life...”
Martins said the transport sector should contribute to socio-economic development and that investment in infrastructure should leave behind more than power stations, railway lines, dams, and roads.
“It must in necessity lead to heightened industrialisation in order to generate skills and boost job creation.”
Martins said state-owned companies and entities were contributing to infrastructure development.
“Transnet and Sanral have allocated R300 billion and R133
billion, respectively, over the next seven years for infrastructure development.”
The Passenger Rail Agency of SA would continue to refurbish and upgrade ageing rail stock and networks, he said.
The conference would also discuss transport for rural development, urban transport policy and planning, safety and security, rail transport, and road construction.
A set of recommendations and findings would be put together after the conference and presented to the transport department. -Sapa