Mayor leads by example
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele and Members of the Mayoral Committee, led by example when they took trains to work to mark Car Free Day on Monday this week
Members of the Mayoral Committee who observed Car Free Day include Clr Phelisa Nkunjana, Clr Bennett Nikani, Clr Mthuthuzeli Siboza, Clr Zeni Tshongweni as well as Clr Thumbu Mahlangu, who is from Tembisa.
The occasion is part of the annual Transport Month commemoration and seeks to promote the use of public transport to raise awareness of the role public transport plays in growing the economy. It also highlights the challenges in transforming public transport. The city of Ekurhuleni is in an advanced stage of launching the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRT) in order to make the use of public transport within the city more user-friendly, convenient and cost-effective. Last month, The Tembisan reported that the BRT system will be implemented in Tembisa next year.
On arriving at the Germiston Train Station, the mayor admitted that the work to introduce the Integrated Rapid Transport System must be fast-tracked, stating that only seven percent of commuters use trains, regardless of their cost-effectiveness. He said this 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 a seamless means of public transport,” said Clr Gungubele.
The Executive Mayor and his committee used bicycles to proceed to their offices at the Germiston Civic Centre.
