Cosatu lashes out at multi-million rand Gautrain subsidy
Trade union federation Cosatu has lashed out at revelations that the taxpayers are forking out R100 million a month to keep the Gautrain on track.
On Monday it was revealed that Gautrain is getting a subsidized to the tune of R100 million a month by the Gauteng provincial treasury.
“This confirms our standing argument and view that our government doesn’t care about safer public transport for the working class, but prioritises transport the elites,” says Cosatu’s Gauteng chairperson Amos Monyela.
Monyela says they will be seeking clarity from Premier David Makhura and Transport MEC Ishmael Vadi.
“Cosatu will seek an audience with the Premier and the MEC of Transport to clarify us on this reckless behaviour, directed to servicing the elites at the expense of the majority of the people of Gauteng.
Gautrain management agency chief executive Jack Van der Merwe says the money is used to keep operations at Gautrain afloat, including maintenance and improvement of the transport company.
“This R100 million is for the total life cycle of the project so it includes maintenance, it includes improvement, it includes the repayment of the loans that the private sector has done,” says Van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe added that the country needs to create a viable transport system.
“We have to develop a viable public transport system which includes public transport for everyone and not just for the poor. That viable transport system will address congestion on the freeways.”