PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The new Western Cape provincial minister of mobility, Isaac Sileku, has visited Knysna and Bitou municipalities to accelerate integrated transport development.
Sileku's slogan is: "Cheaper - faster - safer inter-regional public transport".
His visits also cover the start of creating a more coordinated and effective and efficient logistics network and the drastic reduction of road fatalities.
Sileku attended the Bitou council meeting in Plettenberg Bay on Monday 26 August.
His visits to Bitou and Knysna munici-palities are part of a second instalment of the official visits to the Garden Route District.
'Integrated interventions'
"The discussions centred on primarily the development or acceleration of integrated governmental interventions between the provincial department of mobility and municipalities," said Sileku's spokesperson Hugo Geldenhuys.
"Both levels of government do road traffic control and law enforcement, and they need to work together. The discussions are also focusing on integrated public transport through taxis, buses, and trains.
"Reduction of vehicle congestion on Western Cape roads through the extended moving of freight with trains and sea transport were also high on the agenda.
"The matter of pedestrian deaths on roads, as well as the high number of road fatalities, were discussed.
"The minister is of the opinion that these deaths must be reduced by 50% in his term."
As part of the visits Sileku engaged with key stakeholders in mobility, including law enforcement partners and NGOs, and had an engagement with the Knysna municipality leadership to discuss pertinent mobility matters.
'Key catalyst'
"Mobility, which is connectivity and movement of people and goods, is a key catalyst for any growing economy.
"The Garden Route is experiencing exponential economic growth and development in various sectors, and the current transport infrastructure is incongruent and a key constraint.
"There is an urgent need to address the key mobility challenges," said Sileku.
He said engagements with local municipalities were an essential part of planning and implementing notable programmes that accelerate the delivery of an efficient and effective mobility network for commuters.
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