By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says government is advancing an integrated transport system designed to make public transport safer and more affordable.
Creecy was speaking at the launch of Transport Month in Midrand on Thursday, 01 October 2026.
The minister launched Transport Month under the theme: “Building a safe, sustainable, reliable and affordable transport system”, marking 21 years since the inaugural October Transport Month in 2005.
She said government’s focus was to ensure that transport enables people to access economic and social opportunities rather than becoming a barrier.
“This year has been a difficult one for households, bus and taxi operators, and the broader freight and logistics industry,” Creecy said.
“Our geopolitical environment is not of our choosing. Its impact on supply chains, trade routes and the fuel price is there for all to see.”
She said government was taking steps to reduce the cost burden on public transport users.
Creecy said the recovery of passenger rail services by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is providing commuters with an alternative mode of transport.
Creecy said PRASA had recovered 35 of its 40 priority passenger rail lines over the past two years, most recently restoring part of the Midway–Lenz route.
“PRASA passenger trips rose from 10 million in 2020/21, after the pandemic, to an audited figure of 101 million at the end of the 2025/26 financial year.”
“On average, a Prasa passenger pays between R12 and R15 for a return trip at peak hours, depending on the distance travelled,” the Minister said.
This year, PRASA will continue refurbishing tracks, signalling systems and stations to accommodate more passengers and provide services that are more frequent and punctual.
“The integration of passenger and road transport systems is central to improving affordability and safety for commuters. Bus and minibus taxis remain central to our transport system.”
“We are in the process of reforming our public transport grant system into a unified support model available on selected routes to bus and taxi operators alike. Our reform is guided by foundational principles including integration, sustainability, fairness, safety and commuter affordability. Consultation continues with all affected parties to develop a workable model,” the Minister said.
Last week, Cabinet supported the establishment of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) as a stand-alone, state-owned company, underscoring the central role of rail and port reform in government’s transport agenda.
The separation is intended to improve the operational performance, infrastructure reliability and competitiveness of South Africa’s freight and logistics system.
“As an independent company, TNPA will be able to use its revenue to invest in port infrastructure and equipment, thereby accelerating the journey, which has already seen three of South Africa’s ports tagged as most improved in a recent World Bank study,” Creecy said.
According to Creecy, the separation will be guided by several principles, including fair compensation for Transnet based on an independent valuation of TNPA, long-term financial sustainability, and the equitable allocation of liabilities between the Transnet Group and TNPA.
Other principles include protecting workers, jobs and customers; preserving strategic state ownership and control of national ports infrastructure; and improving the investment capacity and infrastructure development of both TNPA and Transnet.
Cabinet also approved a TNPA investigation into the feasibility of bringing in a minority equity partner from one of the country’s development finance institutions (DFIs).
Creecy said the 2022 White Paper on National Rail Policy and the 2023 National Freight Logistics Roadmap are beginning to deliver results. The policies aim to attract private-sector funding for infrastructure development and reposition rail as the country’s transport backbone.