It’s all systems go for Transport Month
Ecomobility – an integrated form of mobility that combines the use of non-motorised means of transport with the use of public transport – will form the main thrust of the activity-packed City of Johannesburg’s 2014 Transport Month programme.
Spearheaded by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport Christine Walters under the theme “Towards Ecomobility – Walk, Cycle and Use Public Transport”, this year’s Transport Month activities, to be held from 1-31 October, will encourage residents to avoid using motorised transport as much as possible as the City charts the way to a car-free future
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This in line with its vision of creating the Corridors of Freedom, high-density residential developments where residents will live near places of work, schools, shopping malls and places of leisure, and where the only means of transport will be bicycles or the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
Such a lifestyle, the City believes, will improve the quality of life of residents and contribute to healthy living and longer life expectancy.
This year’s Transport Month will also serve as a dress rehearsal for next year’s transport-related activities, when Johannesburg will host the second edition of the Ecomobility World Festival, which seeks to promote a car-free environment.
This year’s Transport Month will, as the theme suggests, focus on encouraging residents to walk, cycle and use public transport to find their way around the city. A number of events aligned to the theme have been planned. One of the highlights of the events will be the launch of the first completed dedicated cycling and walking pathways in Orlando, Soweto, on October 23 in partnership with the national government.
As part of the City’s commitment to improving public transport safety, a safety awareness campaign in partnership with the taxi industry will be conducted at the Baragwanath Taxi Rank in Soweto later in the month. The City will also partner with Absa City Festival by providing dedicated Rea Vaya BRT services, including carrying rugby fans from park-and-ride facilities to Ellis Park Stadium for the Lions vs All Blacks rugby match on Saturday October 4.
The city’s women – who just recently celebrated Women's Month – will play a visible role during Transport Month. The City will host a Women-in-Transport and Construction Seminar on October 21. The seminar will focus on motivating women in emerging companies by identifying opportunities in the transport sector.
A popular public transport adventure, during which teams compete to visit places of interest using public transport, will be held again this year under the name of “Kasi to Kasi”.
On November 1, the City will stage an “open street” event in Kaalfontein and officially launch the recently improved sidewalks in this area.
Another highlight of Transport Month will be the Ecomobility Weekend in Maboneng, a privately developed urban neighbourhood on the eastern side of Johannesburg, from October 24-26, during which time certain streets will be closed and visitors encouraged to use public transport to get to the precinct.
“It’s all systems go,” MMC Walters says, referring to the City’s preparedness to host Transport Month-related activities. “This is another important step towards a future in which we will not need a car to get around.”
All these activities will be preceded by a green transport summit, to be held at the University of Johannesburg on October 1.
The Go Mobility Summit, to be addressed by top local and international gas for mobility experts, is part of the City’s efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and carbon emissions and enable local job creation and income generation initiatives.