Manuel commits R6,76bn to transport infrastructure

FINANCE MINISTER Trevor Manuel has committed the government to strengthening the transport and trade sectors through investment in infrastructure.
Speaking in his 2004 budget vote last week Manuel said one of the “key microeconomic reforms” was “improving the efficiency of communication and transport flows, including investment in ports, road and rail networks.”
He allocated R6,76-billion to the department of transport for the 2004/2005 budget year - up from R6,2-billion the previous financial year.
This will rise to R7,1-billion in 2005/2006 and R7,6-billion the following year.
In its supplement to the budget speech, the Department of Transport says it aims to “develop a national transport infrastructure framework that: promotes coordinated investment in infrastructure; reduces transport input costs; improves access to markets and amenities by rural communities; and facilitates integrated regional infrastructure investment planning and implementation.”
It will be putting in place “national guidelines and standards for the development of transport plans to ensure the provision of adequate and appropriate public transport services and infrastructure, based on user needs”.