Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele and Members of the Mayoral Committee took trains to work to mark Car Free Day yesterday (October 21).
Executive Mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele solicits views about public transport from train commuters.
Members of the Mayoral Committee who observed the Car Free Day include Clr Phelisa Nkunjana, Clr Bennett Nikani, Clr Mthuthuzeli Siboza, Clr Zeni Tshongweni as well as Clr Thumbu Mahlangu.
The occasion is part of the annual Transport Month commemoration and seeks to promote the use of public transport to amongst others, raise awareness on the role of public transport in growing the economy and highlight challenges in transforming public transport. The City of Ekurhuleni is in its advance stage to launch a Bus Rapid Transport System in order to make the use of public transport within the City more user-friendly, convenient and cost-effective.
On their arrival at the Germiston Train Station, the Executive Mayor admitted that work to introduce the Integrated Rapid Transport System must be fast tracked, stating that the fact that only seven percent of commuters use trains, regardless of their cost-effectiveness, shows that the current public transport system is not responding to the needs of the people.
“It is crucial that we create an Integrated Public Transport System, working with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and other stakeholders, so as to provide our commuters with seamless means of public transport,” Clr Gungubele said.
The Executive Mayor and his committee used bicycles to proceed to their offices at the Germiston Civic Centre.
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