The Department of Transport (DOT) is focusing on rolling out matching ticketing infrastructure across public transport modes, before moving ahead with plans to integrate disparate systems in future.
This is according to transport minister Dipuo Peters, who responded to a Parliamentary question by noting smart card rollout is focused on bus services in the Nelson Mandela Bay (Eastern Cape), Rustenburg (North West) and Ekurhuleni (Gauteng) regions, before focus turns to integrating different transport modes.
Integration negotiations have been under way with different transport providers for several years, despite the technology being available, but the DOT notes it will be able to move ahead once smart cards are in use across different platforms.
Peters says the DOT is in talks with the Passenger Rail Association of SA, Gautrain and the Gauteng Department of Transport to implement a compliant and interoperable smart card system.
"These cards are based in the June 2011 DOT regulation that set a common technical standard for public transport smart cards and which enables these cards to be used across different operators and modes, and also be used in the banking and retail environment," said Peters.
The DOT's integrated fare systems regulations outline how an interchangeable card system could also be topped up through banks, but have yet to come to fruition.
Gauteng's 'master plan'
The Gauteng Roads and Transport department published its Integrated Transport Master Plan in November, noting its "one province, one ticket" plan remained one of its key objectives to be implemented in the years leading up to 2017.
The plan ties into national government's integration plans and aims to enable passengers to move seamlessly from one mode of transport to another, using the same card or ticket system.
While some modes of transport have already enabled smart card systems, notes the report, it could take up to a decade for an integrated system to be fully established across the province.
Peters said the smart card system used by Gautrain passengers will need to fit into government's integration efforts over the next few years. "Gautrain has until 16 June 2016 to integrate its fare management system with other public transport systems."
She added the Gautrain Management Agency instructed Bombela Concession Company - which oversees Gautrain infrastructure development - to proceed with specification and procurement of an upgrade to the ticketing system which will comply with the DOT's integrated fare system.
Share