I am integrating my speech. [Laughter.] Thank you, Chair.
Commuters are forced to stand on train stations for hours without any announcements as to why train services are late or cancelled; and there are signal issues.
Hon Minister, these are only a few of the challenges commuters face with "Metrofail". Commuters are then further burdened with huge price increases. In 2014 alone, we have already seen two price increases, and this affects the poorest of the poor.
The City of Cape Town's flagship Integrated Rapid Transit system, MyCiTi, also offers some useful experience in operating integrated, seamless, cost- effective transport. This is in line with the DA's transport policy of introducing a single, multiuse ticket system applicable to all certified public transport users to make transport more accessible to everyone. I think, hon Minister, that the Cape Town city council should take over Metrorail and show how professional this system can actually operate if in the right hands. [Interjections.]
With the 2010 Soccer World Cup, we introduced the long-awaited Gautrain for fast, reliable public transport, but again, only a few people can really afford to use this service, as these train tickets are very pricey. I call it the flagship for the rich. With the heavy load of traffic on our national roads, we really need to improve our railway infrastructure to save our roads from total destruction. This was already planned by government five years ago. When I was here, these plans were in place, but we still haven't seen progress. [Interjections.] Yes, after five years, nothing has happened ... [Interjections.] ... but you were not here, and most probably you will not be here again.
We still don't see progress on our national railway and transport systems. This is one of the biggest reasons for the huge numbers of road deaths we have to address each year. More than 14 000 people lose their lives on South Africa's roads annually. Despite the target of a 30% reduction in road fatalities, which the Minister wants, only a 0,79% reduction was achieved.
Now for my not-such-a-good e-toll story to tell - I am not going to say what one of our members in the National Assembly said. I am telling my own story here for you, hon members. During the December 2013 holidays, I took on the N12 national road from Kimberley to Pretoria. Our Minister will know; she comes from that province. I was pleasantly surprised to see how the road had improved since I last undertook this journey a few years ago. Please, hon members, I want you to use this N12 route from Johannesburg to Cape Town through Kimberley. We need your money! Please come to Kimberley; I am promoting our Northern Cape. We need you. It's a beautiful road! [Interjections.] Unfortunately, when I got to the Johannesburg-Pretoria N1 highway, I met with the gates of these controversial e-toll gantries and their blue lights as I went through it. [Interjections.] Alright? [Interjections.] As a visitor to this busy Gauteng road network, I tried to observe a pay point for driving on this so-called holy road. There was an advertising board regarding e-tolls on the opposite side of the highway, displaying a number to be called in order to become e-toll registered. Upon arrival at my destination in Pretoria, I called the given number. This, then, is the beginning of my not-so-good e-toll story to tell.
I was greeted by a friendly voice recording, giving options to select from - hon members, you heard that - very nice options. I selected the option to register and pay. The friendly voice recording asked me to hold on for a consultant, which I did. This consultant was, unfortunately, not able to assist me with the payment, and later on asked me to hold on for the next consultant. At least 30 minutes went by without my getting the proper assistance. I wanted to pay because I'm a good citizen of this country. You know, we have to do this. This is what the people want.
Since I have the privilege of Internet access, I was able to end the call and search for a pay point on e-tolls. The closest e-toll office was 15 km away, east of Pretoria, at a mall. I got into my car and hurried down to the kiosk. I got there at 18:15 in the afternoon. Two ladies were on their way home, leaving just one gentleman sitting in the kiosk. [Interjections.] On the Internet, it said that the office hours were until 19:00, and I got there 45 minutes before closing. The gentleman said he could not help me ... [Interjections.] ... Would you please protect me, hon Chair? [Interjections.] [Laughter.]