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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands clarity on where the funding of the proposed plan of taking over the management of the rail services from the national government to Gauteng will come from.

During a recent Roads and Logistics Portfolio Committee meeting, the Gauteng Transport Authority (GTA) outlined its proposal to take over the rail services in the province from the national government. However, they have not indicated the cost of this proposed plan.

This is concerning because the Gauteng Department of Roads and Logistics has had a huge budget cut from R9,9 billion in the 2023/2024 financial year to R9,4 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year.

The proposed takeover of the management of the rail services in the province is a step in the right direction, this will ensure regular maintenance of the rail infrastructure and that our residents have access to a cost-effective mode of transport that is environmentally friendly, reliable, and safe. However the success of takeover of rail services will be dependent on a proper funding model that ensures efficient utilisation of the provinces financial resources.

For a long time, the DA has been calling on the national government to hand over the management of rail services to the province. By doing this, the provincial government can ensure that our rail infrastructure is properly maintained, secured and does not fall prey to vandalism.

A DA government will lobby the national government to hand over the operations of the rail services to the provincial governments.

Issued by Evert Du Plessis MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Roads and Logistics