The South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral) has been allocated R25.4 billion from the Department of Transport that will go towards the upgrades of non-toll networks and projects.

Delivering her maiden budget vote speech, Transport Minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga told Parliament of the R25.4bn allocation, of which R15.8bn is to strengthen and upgrade the national non-toll network.

The department had a budget of R79.5bn for the 2023/2024 financial year,

The minister said in rail, in the last financial year the department committed to recovering 10 priority corridors and delivered 13.

“This financial year we plan to recover 16 because rail is still the cheapest and most preferred mode of transport by many of our people. We have budgeted R20.5bn for Prasa (the Passenger Rail Agency of SA) this financial year. The group CEO of Prasa will further tell us what our critical projects are, which are aimed at ensuring that our work to rebuild commuter rail continues in earnest.”

Chikunga said the department’s work towards delivering a public transport system that meets the needs of the people was continuing.

A substantial part of the budget will be spent on ensuring that the public transport programs from taxis, and buses right to Integrated Public Transport Networks (IPTNS) receive much-needed attention.

“We have the Director-General, together with the Deputy Director-General, who will drill down to the primary details of what is planned for our public transport space,” she said.