Lift club portal opens

Lift club services, cycling and using public transport are some ways to reduce congestion. Walking is another option. All are being promoted during Transport Month.
CONGESTION on Joburg’s roads is a daily frustration for many residents, but commuters should bear in mind that transport should not only be restricted to cars. This is according to the member of the mayoral committee for transport, Rehana Moosajee, who also encourages the use of public transport, cycling and lift clubs.

Walking reduces traffic congestionWalking reduces traffic congestion“Foot is also another mode. It is also transport. People should take time to experience the city – it is a wonderful experience,” she said. “Transport is not only about cars, buses, taxis and trains; it is about people.”

In an initiative to promote the use of public transport and at the same time reduce carbon emissions, the City will focus on developing infrastructure that is conducive to walking. It is building pedestrian bridges, kerbs and walkways as part of the non-motorised transport projects of the Expanded Public Works Programme.

The project has been undertaken around the city, from Ivory Park to Zola, from Diepsloot to Orange Farm. “The most sustainable way to transport ourselves is to walk or cycle,” she said.

In Ivory Park alone, about 1,1 kilometres of pavement and other infrastructure has been built, at a cost of R2,4-million; it took 16 weeks to complete and created 65 jobs, 21 of which were given to women.

“I am glad the kerbs are high. The pavements are for people not vehicles.” She added that this investment would allow people to connect with each other and take pride in their space.

Car Free Day
People have also been urged to leave their private cars at home and use public transport and lift clubs on 20 October, National Car Free Day.

Leave your car at home on Car Free DayLeave your car at home on Car Free DayTo promote lift clubs, a Joburg company, Eqstra Fleet Management (EFM), is launching a lift club service to help commuters save money, to improve road safety, to combat congestion and to cut carbon emissions.

During the provincial launch of October Transport Month on 4 October in Joburg, EFM announced the opening of its Best Lift Club portal, which it said would deliver convenience and savings to cash-strapped commuters, while improving safety on the roads.

Gauteng MEC for roads and transport, Ismail Vadi, will be part of this project with the aim of building an on-going partnership between EFM and the department of transport. “Traffic congestion is a major problem in the province. By using lift clubs and public transport, the roads can be made safer and more pleasant for everyone,” he said.

“What is most exciting about this project is the fact that it also takes into account the use of public transport through the Gautrain feeder lifts, where corporates are encouraged to set up pick up points between Gautrain stations and their offices.

This will encourage more employees to make use of the Gautrain daily,” Vadi explained.

Environment
With the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) being hosted in Durban later this year and the Carbon Tax Green Paper, which was open for public discussion, it is becoming imperative for companies to turn to initiatives that will help offset their carbon emissions.

Murray Price launches Best Lift Club portalEFM MD Murray Price launches the Best Lift Club portalEFM did extensive market research before starting up this project, which showed that there was already a considerable demand for a lift club service. “Lift clubs can deliver benefits to individuals and society at large, yet so far their use in South Africa is limited,” said Murray Price, EFM’s managing director.

“The Best Lift Club portal is designed to offer a one-stop shop for all commuters that is easy to access and safe to use.”

By joining a lift club, commuters can save on petrol and potential toll fees, while also reducing carbon emissions and helping the planet. In addition, lift clubs help reduce traffic congestion and road wear and tear, making the roads safer for all users.

On the Best Lift Club portal, commuters can register for free, search for lift clubs online, start lift clubs, as well as search for other members travelling on the same route. It also has a calculator, which has been formulated to work out travel costs and carbon savings.

According to EFM, the service is being launched with an initial registration drive. Once critical mass is reached, route matching notifications will be delivered to everyone registered on the site so that clubs can get up and running.