Jhb monorail put on hold
01/06/2007 19:00  - (SA)  

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Gautrain blasting closes N3 Jhb's monorail to cost R12bn Delay in Gautrain construction

Johannesburg - The controversial Soweto-Johannesburg monorail is on hold while the provincial government consults more widely on the proposal, said Gauteng's transport and finance MECs on Friday.

Public Transport, Roads and Works MEC Ignatius Jacobs and Finance and Economic Affairs MEC Paul Mashatile said in a joint statement that they had met Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe, Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo and Johannesburg councillor Rehana Mosajee about the monorail on May 25.

"The provincial government accepted that consultation was inadequate (and that) the province would need to go back and deepen consultation with all stakeholders," said the MECs.

They said Radebe told them the monorail proposal would not be supported in its existing form but that government was not in principle opposed to monorail.

It was agreed "that the proposal would be put on hold until such time that the necessary process, including consultation, has been undertaken", said the MECs.

They said Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa was aware of the project, "but was not involved in the details or consultations".

They said the monorail was a private sector initiative to invest in public transport and was regarded as in line with the provincial government's approach.

Memorandum of understanding

"The monorail is a positive development into attracting inward investment to transport infrastructure while contributing to the development of a public transport system that is efficient, safe, affordable and reliable."

The project was announced on May 16, when the provincial government and the Gauteng Economic Development Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with the developer Newcyc on the project.

Radebe subsequently ordered it to be put on hold, saying he had not been told about it although transport is a national responsibility.

The meeting between the MECs and Radebe followed.

"The provincial government remains committed to the promotion of co-operative governance, working in close partnership with national and provincial government, in building an effective transport infrastructure to provide safe, affordable, accessible and reliable public transport services to the people of the province as well as to contribute to the success of initiatives such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup," said the MECs.

- SAPA

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