Page 683 - Demo

Department: Transport %uf0b7 Conduct route survey or route planning to ensure the viability of the routes currently being operated; %uf0b7 Exploration of an automated Departmental bus monitoring system that will be within the control of the Department; %uf0b7 Review the subsidised bus contracts; and %uf0b7 Improved internal working arrangements (operations, infrastructure and regulatory function).Even though the province has a demand of 153 999 needy and qualifying learners, Scholar Transport will continue to provide transportation to 102 067 qualifying learners over the next MTEF period responding to Governments agenda and Constitutional obligation of providing learners with access to education based on available financial resources. However, with the ongoing school rationalisation and realignment by the Department of Education, costs are likely to increase due to increases in kilometres and numbers of learners needing to be transported. The Department has decentralised Scholar Transport function to all its Districts to improve monitoring and address inefficiencies. The department will implement Learner Transport Management System in all the six Districts, which will modernise the end-to-end scholar transport function. Furthermore, the department will implement the Performance Management and Evaluation system to improve the performance efficiencies in the department. The Department will continue providing public transportation to provincially approve public events. It will also continue to regulate public transport through Provincial Regulated Entity (PRE) and abnormal licences for the transportation of abnormal loads. Expansion of public transport services to reach remote areas and alignment of the issuance of operator licenses and permits to avoid route saturation, which has a direct bearing on the infighting within the industry. The Department will deal with improvement of quality of current public transport services through the subsidisation of the 3 bus services (scheduled services to improve quality of service %u2013 health and safety standards). The department will intensify road safety education through conducting workshops to deal with passenger and operator behaviour and attitude. The Department will continue its strides regarding maintenance and upgrading of Mthatha Airport with the completion of the fire station. The department had signed Service Level Agreement (SLA) with PETROSA for the provision of Jet Fuel at Mthatha Airport. Furthermore, to operationalise the Bisho Airport for it to become an international cargo transportation, the Department will conduct the second feasibility study that will include the cost of upgrading the airport. Also, there will be engagements around the issue of transfer of land from the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to the Department. The Department will continue providing financial support to recognise public transport coordinating bodies through the South African Taxi Council of the Eastern Cape (SANTACO), Eastern Cape Small Bus Operators (ECSBOC) and enhancing empowerment and transformation of the transport industry. To respond to the demand on the ocean%u2019s economy space, the Department will respond to the following: %uf0b7 Participate in National and Provincial Maritime structures; %uf0b7 Conduct Maritime Career Expo to encourage career choices into the sector; %uf0b7 Conduct Maritime Awareness sessions; and %uf0b7 Maritime Empowerment consultations to encourage women participation within the structures. Transport Regulations will continue to contribute to National and Provincial Priorities through improved public transport system and reduced road fatalities. The department will ensure regulation of transport systems through conducting compliance inspections, establishing eNATIS compliant licensing authorities and regulating transport operators. 662