'Transport strategy must ensure that roles of road and rail are balanced and protected'
Anna Cox
SOUTH AFRICA'S freight transport policy is in need of serious review with the current competition between the road hauliers and rail in South Africa undermining the efficacy of rail freight in the name of deregulation, said George Negota, chairman of the Cross Border Road Transport Agency.
Investment in road transport infrastructure should take into consideration the role which both rail and road transport should play in economic development, he added.
"As long as rail transport remains negatively affected in the name of deregulation and competition, the would-be investors will avoid investing in rail transport infrastructure projects. To avoid the complete destruction of rail transport as a mode, the Department of Transport is therefore urged to initiate a transport policy strategy that will ensure that both the roles of rail freight and road hauliers are not only balanced but are also protected."
In so far as the SADC region is concerned, the problem of massive unemployment can partly be addressed through the labour-based infrastructure development projects, he said.
The development of transport corridors was another way through which economic development in the region could be triggered and therefore policy guidelines should be in place to guide their development, he said.
"The need for investment in transport infrastructure should be promoted and supported by the top leadership of SADC member states. The SADC region is in dire need of investment in transport infrastructure development projects. The sign of economic development is visible through the nature and quality of infrastructure."
