Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi has officially opened the new offices of the Gauteng Transport Commission (GTC) based in Bedfordview.

The GTC is an overarching transport structure composed of the provincial Department of Roads and Transport and all local authorities in Gauteng.

Vadi explained that, as an inter-governmental body, it aims to improve transport service delivery and to provide a reliable, affordable, safe, accessible and sustainable transport system in the Gauteng city-region.

The GTC will co-ordinate the implementation of the 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan that was approved last year by the provincial government. Vadi said that the GTC will facilitate joint planning and co-ordination in the following core transport areas:

• integrated rail planning in the province
• the development and integration of bus rapid transport systems
• the promotion of standardised intelligent transport systems, particularly in respect of integrated ticketing, integrated fare management, passenger transport information and traffic management
• promoting non-motorised transport
• effectively implementing travel demand management.

The GTC is overseen by a governing body consisting of the MEC of Roads and Transport and the members of the mayoral committees responsible for transport in each participating municipality. Also, it is supported by an advisory panel of transport specialists and experts.

Its day-to-day operations will be administered by a long-standing transport official Tobie Roux, who will provide administrative, technical and professional support to the governing body.

The participating municipalities are:

• City of Johannesburg
• City of Tshwane
• Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
• West Rand District Municipality
• Sedibeng District Municipality
• Lesedi Local Municipality
• Midvaal Local Municipality
• Randfontein Local Municipality
• Westonaria Local Municipality
• Merafong City Local Municipality
• Mogale City Local Municipality
• Emfuleni Local Municipality.