Minister Dipuo Peters
Photo by: Duane Daws
The Gauteng provincial government has urged citizens to embrace the different modes of public transport available in the province to ease congestion on the province's roads.
October marks the launch of National Transport Month. Speaking at a tour of the Pretoria railway station, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters encouraged people to walk or use bicycles, the bus-rapid transit systems or trains, or a combination of these, to get to work.
She told newly-elected mayor Solly Msimanga that the city had a responsibility towards its daily commuters to sharpen up and expand its walkways and cycling routes to ensure their safety.
Gauteng Transport MEC Dr Ismail Vadi added that if more people walked their children to school, for example, the chances of falling victim to crime would also be reduced. “There is safety in numbers,” he added.
Besides the existing transport options available, the city was aiming to roll out electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to encourage the uptake of the environment-friendly cars. Msimanga launched two EV charging bays at the Tshwane municipal offices as part of the initiative.