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Jozi's success goes to US
- Details
- 05 October 2012
The portfolio head of transport in Joburg, the driving force behind Rea Vaya, is taking the city's best practice to the American Public Transportation Association's annual meeting.
REHANA MOOSAJEE, the Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, is in the United States, sharing the City's best practices with international delegates at the annual meeting of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in Seattle.
Sessions this year focused on a number of topics affecting the public transportation industry, including new legislation, high-speed rail, sustainability, workforce development, green jobs, technology, safety and security, and public-private partnerships. The meeting ran from 1 to 3 October. Moosajee was invited to the annual meeting because of her foresight in alleviating Joburg's transport issues and for her drive in developing the bus rapid transit system. Hosted by King County Metro Transit, the gathering is seen as a leading industry event.
US federal transit administrator (FTA) Peter Rogoff, President Barack Obama administration's top public transit official, addressed the opening session and another featured speaker is Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Moosajee was a guest speaker on October 2 during which she focused on her achievements in leading the transformation of Johannesburg's transport system and for successfully meeting the massive challenges of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010. She will also moderate a discussion on Olympic Games, world cups, and other mega events, with the title Transporting the Masses.
The APTA is a non-profit international association made up of 1 500 public and private member organisations. They engage in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, intercity, and high-speed rail.
Moosajee was initially elected to serve in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council for the 2000 to 2006 term. She served on the Health Portfolio Committee and the Multi-Party Women's Steering Committee. In her second term, from 2006 to 2011, Moosajee was made the portfolio head of transport, a position she still holds in her third term. Under her leadership, transport in Joburg has set the standard for public commuting not only in the country but on the entire African continent.
Through her vision, the City used the 2010 World Cup to display Rea Vaya, as the Bus Rapid Transit system is known, as a viable public transport option. It is environmentally friendly and empowers designated groups. Rea Vaya has received many awards. It transports some one million passengers a month, and is operated by local taxi drivers and owners.
Apart from getting the safe, reliable and affordable public transport option on the road, Moosajee's department also initiated the Ward-Based Road Safety Programme, which ensures that in every ward, every year there is at least one project aimed at improving road safety. The programme's priorities are determined by the local ward councillor in conjunction with members of the community.
In addition, working with members of the Johannesburg transport family, Moosajee developed the transport values of accountability, respect, co-operation, honesty, and ubuntu. They have linked infrastructure construction with the task of constructing a post-apartheid society, where people are more important than material.
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