Page 682 - Demo
P. 682
Estimates of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure (EPRE) - 2025/26 Financial YearThe provision of quality transportation infrastructure is constrained by the backlog that can be attributed to the climate change and inadequate funding. The department in 2025/26 will continue to focus on maintenance (preservation) and limit capital projects by researching alternative technologies for road building to fulfil the promise it made to the communities. Responding to the aging infrastructure to support economic growth, the department will refurbish provincial road network, provide roads leading to health facilities and schools, and improve access to economic amenities such Cofimvaba %u2013 Askeaton; R72 Hamburg; Canzibe Hospital Road; Middelburg ITCC; Dr08034 N2 To R61 Via Clarkebury; T125 Phase4 N2 To Siphethu Hospital road are a few of the many upgrade projects that will be under implementation during 2025/26. With regards to law enforcement facilities, Middelburg Intergrated traffic control centre, Mthatha Traffic Station and KwaBhaca multi modal transport facility, the department has allocated an amount of R27 million towards repairs and maintenance of these facilities. To regulate the transport system in the Eastern Cape, the department will develop a draft Provincial Land Transportation Framework (PLTF), which will contribute to the implementation of the Transport Master Plan. The department will also develop implementation plans for the already existing nonmotorised transport and public transport plans. The department will prioritise within limited resources the refurbishment of camping sites in the 5-district prioritising Amatole, O.R Tambo and Chris Hani for road workers to improve their living conditions. 150km of gravel roads are targeted for upgrading to a surfaced standard in the seventh term, 94 000 km will be maintained and 1 678 000 m%u00b2 of surfaced roads will be maintained. The diminishing fiscus demands a change in approach, in order for the department to deliver mobility and access in line with the mandate of the transport infrastructure programme. The department will emphasise preventative maintenance projects to be completed in the 7th term include the rehabilitation of the 70 000sqm N2 to Ntabankulu, the N6 to Molteno 160 000 sqm and 120 000 sqm Humansdorp to Hankey. As part of the contribution to SMME development, the programme will assist enterprises in upgrading their CIDB grading for roads infrastructure. This is to ensure their functional participation in the National Contractor Development Programme (NCDP) to benefit 2 youth, 2 women and 1 person with disabilities owned enterprises in planned projects. This also contributes to a sector outcome 3: Economic opportunities created for the previously disadvantaged and vulnerable groups (women, youth and persons with disabilities). Furthermore, the Department will continue with in-house capacitation and empowerment to ensure professional development of core personnel to meet infrastructure delivery needs such as capacitation of in-house personnel by providing necessary training, continuous establishment of the training centre at Graaff Reniet to train plant operators, artisans and foreman and professional registration of engineering. Transport Operations will continue to subsidise 2 399 bus operations MTC, Algoa Bus Company (ABC) and AB350 with an effort to provide an affordable and reliable transportation system. The Department has also adjusted the budget for Mayibuye Transport Corporation and AB350 by aligning itself to 2025/26 budget allocation. The Department will ensure a holistic measurement and full achievement of the subsidy, for efficiencies and effectiveness, it will take into consideration the measurement of whether what the Department is subsiding, is worth the service that the commuters and the citizens of the Eastern Cape are benefitting by attending to the following: %uf0b7 An evaluation of subsidised bus services, to measure its impact; 661