Q & A: GAUTENG TRANSPORT AUTHORITY
What would a unified ticketing system change for commuters? Today, operators largely have their own ticketing and fare systems. We want an interoperable platform that allows a commuter to move between modes without navigating a different payment system at every step. The fare medium must also be inclusive. A bank card or smartphone may work for some passengers, while others will need a different option, so a hybrid approach may be necessary. The platform must be accompanied by accurate route, schedule, and service information, enabling passengers to plan a journey across bus, rail, minibus taxi, and, potentially, e-hailing. The account-based ticketing proof of concept is due to be completed by the end of the current financial year, and the findings will guide the phased roll-out.
How does the minibus-taxi industry fit into an integrated network built around rail? The minibus-taxi industry carries the largest share of public transport passengers, so integration cannot happen without it. If rail is reinforced as the backbone of mass public transport, buses and minibus taxis can provide complementary and feeder services that make the wider network accessible. That will require a significant redesign of how the modes work together, as well as continued professionalisation of the industry.
The minibus-taxi industry carries the largest share of public transport passengers, so integration cannot happen without it.”
How should transport planning shape housing and economic development? Transport and land-use planning have to be aligned. Gauteng cannot continue expanding through lowdensity development that forces people to travel long distances and increases pressure on infrastructure. The master plan supports densification and infill development along strategic transport corridors, with transit-oriented development around key nodes. It also identifies multimodal hubs where trains, buses, minibus taxis, e-hailing, walking and cycling can connect. These should not be traditional ranks used only to board a vehicle. They can become safe, mixed-use places with space for small businesses, retailers and services, linked to housing, commercial centres and special economic zones.
What role will technology and sustainability play in the future system? Technology is an enabler, not an end in itself. Shared data and real-time information can improve scheduling, coordination and incident communication, while giving passengers reliable updates that save time and money. We will test new systems not only for technical operability but also for public acceptance in Gauteng ' s context. Sustainability is equally central. Our Sustainable Mobility Strategy will guide the adoption of alternative energy, while travel-demand management asks a more basic question: does every trip need to be made, and if it does, can it be made by public or non-motorised transport? The aim is to avoid unnecessary travel, shift trips to more efficient modes and improve the technology used across the network.
Which investments matter most? The province must prioritise passenger and freight rail, including rail sidings; intermodal hubs; non-motorised transport; weighbridges; and the unified fare system. Moving more freight from road to rail would reduce pressure on the road network and release scarce public funds for other needs.
TAG is a young Schedule 3C public entity with a limited asset base, so long-term financial resilience is essential. Our funding strategy considers grants, green bonds, revenue-backed mechanisms, and public-private partnerships, together with appropriate own-revenue opportunities. The structure will differ by project, but every arrangement must pass through sound governance, financial-management and accounting processes.
What would success look like for you? Success would mean one dependable journey, not several fragmented services: rail as the backbone, other modes feeding into it, safe interchanges, real‐time information and a unified fare system. Equally vital is the rebuilding of trust through consistent delivery and transparent communication. �
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