Plenty to do in Transport Month

Details

28 September 2012

Public transport takes the spotlight in October. Plenty of events, from fun games to informative seminars, have been planned in Joburg.

TRANSPORT Month activities in Joburg have been designed to accommodate the community and all transport stakeholders in the city. Rehana Moosajee, the member of the mayoral committee for transport, is optimistic about the activities on the calendar, stressing that people will be urged to be an integral part of the month.

“We have organised fun, innovative and exciting events which aim to get a wide variety of residents and stakeholders involved. I appeal to all residents and stakeholders to look at our calendar of events and have no doubt that something on the programme is likely to interest you,” she said.

This year’s activities are aligned with the national Department of Transport’s theme for the month – “Working together to provide a safe and reliable transport system”. Top of the calendar is the African branch of the International Association of Public Transport conference, running from 7 to 11 October.

It will be hosted in partnership with the Gauteng department of roads and transport, with the topic “Bus Rapid Transit, a sustainable solution to mobility in Africa and developing countries”. Public transport operators and other transport stakeholders are invited to attend.

On 12 October, Moosajee will spend the day with more than 70 children at Robertsham Primary School. The children will be invited to share their knowledge of road safety through performing various activities. Section 79 transport committee members, children from selected schools and members of the media are welcome to attend.

Next, the much-publicised commuter shelters will be officially launched in Lenasia, and unveiled across seven regions, on 16 October. The launch will be held on the corner of Nirvana and Rose avenues. The community including local councillors, public transport operators, commuter organisations and the media are invited.

For those car captive users who often have a limited knowledge of how to get around using public transport and where to find transport hubs, including taxi ranks, a public transport adventure has been crafted specifically for them. The adventure will be held on 17 October.

Participants, in teams of four, will be given clues to find around Joburg. They will have to travel from Park Station in the heart of the bustling CBD to the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani using various modes of public transport. Residents, organisations and the media are encouraged to register a team by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
 
On 20 October, attention will shift to public transport drivers. A total of 100 drivers will be treated to a tour to various places in Joburg. This gesture is meant to salute the drivers for doing  a stellar job of transporting commuters to various destinations daily.

It will be followed by an indaba on freight safety on 27 October, to be hosted by Transport Spares Equipment Big Max, which supplies replacement trailer parts.

The indaba, running under the theme “Sharing information: caring for fleet”, will be held at the company’s offices, 75 Ulysses Road, Denver, Extension 15.

Experts will share their knowledge about vehicle maintenance and safety. Freight operators, drivers and law enforcers responsible for freight safety should attend.

Every year, South African roads are a scene of carnage and on 31 October Moosajee will host a commemoration service for families and friends of those who have been involved in road accidents. Residents who have lost loved ones on the roads, as well as councillors, City officials and any other members of the public, who wish to attend, are invited to assemble at Metro Centre Building in Braamfontein.

An event called Street Alive which aims to encourage people to take ownership of the streets, will wrap up the month long activities.

On 14 and 28 October there will be some road closures in Orlando and Westbury. The objective of this initiative is to make people aware that streets are not only meant for motor vehicles, but are also made for pedestrians as well as giving people an opportunity for exercise and fun.

People will be able to ride bicycles and skateboards, play traditional games, do aerobics or any form of outdoor fun in the middle of roads usually crowded by cars.

The initiative will cover the areas of Orlando East, Orlando West, Noordgesig, Pennyville, Bosmont, Riverlea, Newclare, Coronationville, and Westbury.

The full Transport Month calendar is available here.

The Public Transport Adventure registration forms are available here.

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