Region embraces self-regulation concept

Governments across the region are embracing selfregulation in the transport industry. That much was clear at the recent Road Transport Management System (RTMS) national steering committee meeting in Johannesburg. “Not only is it included in the Tripartite Transport and Trade Facilitation Programme annual work plan, but it was also recommended by East African member states during the 2011 project on load limits and overloading control,” said Barney Curtis, executive director of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), who attended the meeting. In South Africa 57 companies and depots are accredited to the country’s RTMS that is currently running workshops throughout South Africa. He said a report on progress with RTMS in South Africa was being prepared and would be submitted to the minister of transport, indicating a strong push towards a system of self-regulation. “Fesarta has been called on to help on the North- South Corridor pilot project that is being led by the SADC to develop the Terms of Reference. It has been noted that, unlike RTMS, self regulation in countries to the north of South Africa would have to involve customs,” he said. “The objective is for two transporters – one big and one small company from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa – to participate in the project. Right now, progress is slow and it will be up to Fesarta to make something happen.” A ‘Smart Trucks’ programme, being piloted in South Africa, also came under the spotlight at the meeting. “This programme involves vehicle combinations that are larger or heavier than legal vehicle combinations but do no more damage to the road networks. In other words the axle loads are no heavier than that of a legal combination.” Operating on predetermined and regulated routes under special permits, the vehicle combinations have to be registered with the RTMS. According to Curtis, the benefit was generally heavier payloads from longer vehicle combinations with more axles. INSERT: ‘Self regulation in countries to the north of South Africa would have to involve customs.’ CAPTION: Barney Curtis ... ‘Pilot project on North-South corridor.’