Cape Town – The efficient and timeous roll-out of all infrastructure programmes is crucial to government’s economic growth and poverty alleviation goals, says the Minister of Public Enterprises, Alec Erwin.

“The President’s State of the Nation address has set the tone for the pace with which we must work this year.

“As the economic cluster we certainly have our work cut out for us,” the minister said on Monday, delivering the Economic, Investment and Employment Clusters Programme of Action for the year.

“We have made great strides in the implementation of projects in the transport and logistics infrastructure.”

The minister said government has allocated R7.7 billion for the rollout of the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme (TRP), which aims to improve safety in the taxi industry and provide an opportunity to formalise the industry.

The target is to scrap the old taxi fleet has been set to 80 percent by 2010.

“The scrapping of taxis commenced in 2006 and to date more than 13 261 Old Taxi Vehicles have been scrapped amounting to payments of over R663 Million,” he said.

Government plans to rehabilitate, maintain and reserve roads infrastructure with the help of a raised budget allocation. The budget has been raised from R600 million to R2.2 billion.

The South African Rail Commuter Corporation is working towards ensuring that rail services support the integrated transport plans developed by government.

“Metrorail Express Services will be deployed effectively as part of our transport operation plans for both the Confederations Cup in 2009 and ultimately the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“We have committed almost R10 billion to upgrade both rolling stock and infrastructure over the next three years. This will also be coupled by investment worth more than R6 billion, rising to R16 billion,” he said.

In another programme, over 1700 SAPS rail police have been deployed countrywide a further 5 000 SAPS rail police are to be deployed by 2010 and investments of R16 billion is expected for the refurbishment and overhaul of coaches as the Rail Safety Management System is implemented.

Regarding the Public Transport Strategy, Cabinet has approved key projects aimed at achieving the goal of mass transit public transport networks.

An essential feature of the strategy deals with a phased extension of the mode-based vehicle recapitalisation into Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks.

These networks comprise an integrated package of Rapid Rail and Bus Rapid Transit priority corridors especially in major cities.

The Public Transport Infrastructure and System Fund has been allocated an amount of R9.2 billion for 2010, these projects include the Khulani Corridor, the N1 and N2 Toll Highway, Rea Vaya BRT in Johannesburg, Sani Pass Road between South Africa and Lesotho and the BRT Networks in Tshwane at a cost of R107 Million.

In line with the National Freight Logistics Strategy, the first draft of the Branchline Strategy was developed to articulate a vision and strategic approach to revitalising non-core rail lines to ensure economic sustainability of small towns and rural communities.

The Airports Company of South Africa is developing airport infrastructure in line with passenger growth through its R19.3 billion, as passenger numbers are expected to increase to 31 million by 2012.

Provincial airports are being upgraded to meet growth demands.

“Although significant progress has been made in the work of the cluster, we cannot afford to be more complacent.

“Much more can and should be done. Following the July Cabinet Lekgotla later this year, we will be able to give an update on some of the programmes and interventions outlined above,” said Mr Erwin. - BuaNews