Johannesburg - The month-long EcoMobility Festival in Sandton draws to an end this weekend with a party on Saturday to thank residents for participating and co-operating with the event.
Although Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau was to hold a final media briefing on Friday morning, the city’s mayoral committee member for transport, Christine Waters, said the festival had achieved its objectives and, in some instances, exceeded them.
“I am sure I can say there is a citywide consensus that for our city to be sustainable, car use must be reduced, especially in CBD areas such as Sandton.
“We have had a month of dialogue and debate among stakeholders and residents, and the feedback from these engagements and social media has mostly been positive,” said Waters.
The criticism received from some quarters had also been constructive, said Waters, and the city would be taking it as a basis to consider changes where the public felt it was needed.
Sandton remained accessible during the course of the month, she said.
TAKING BACK THE STREETS
The festival promoted eco-mobile transport such as walking and cycling, and included events that involved residents, the city, and other cities around the world that use streets for social activities and sport.
The Gautrain and the city also worked with the RMB Winex Exhibition organisers to ensure that wine lovers were able to enter Sandton for the three days the exhibition ran, as well as make use of the Gautrain and the free minibus taxi shuttles during the festival.
Responding to the spirit of the festival, and conscious of the importance of reducing the drunk-driving risk by ensuring adequate access to public transport, the Gautrain added three additional services, going from Sandton to Park, Sandton to Hatfield and Sandton to Rhodesfield stations until 30 October.
The party on Saturday tomorrow will be held in West Street from noon until late. This is free and open to all residents and will feature big screens where people can watch the Rugby World Cup final and the Soweto soccer derby. Entertainment will include award-winning DJ Black Coffee and Mafikizolo.
Members of the public who want to attend the party can use park-and-walk facilities at Innesfree Park or George Lea Park, or park and walk from the Sandton City rooftop.
The Star
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