Free State transport campaign puts road safety and youth skills in spotlight

Road safety, public transport improvements and career opportunities for young people took centre stage as the Free State government launched its 2026 October Transport Month campaign in Bloemfontein on Wednesday. The launch, held at the Interstate Bus Lines (IBL) depot in Hamilton on 14 October, featured a hybrid bus demonstration and a career exhibition designed to introduce learners to developments in transport technology and possible career paths. Jabu Mbalula said reliable transport was essential for residents to access schools, healthcare facilities and employment, particularly in rural communities where long distances can make travelling difficult. “For our people, transport is not a luxury, but it is a lifeline,” Mbalula said. He said the province needed to address the effects of apartheid-era planning, which left some communities far from economic opportunities and essential services. “Our democratic responsibility is to overcome that legacy. We must build a transport system that brings opportunity closer to people, restores dignity, and ensures that where a person lives does not determine how far they can go in life,” he said. Mbalula said hybrid and electric buses could help reduce fuel consumption and emissions while improving energy efficiency. He added that the province needed to prepare young people for changes in the transport industry. Referring to his visit to Singapore, where he was exposed to modern public transport systems, Mbalula said the Free State should embrace innovation and ensure that young people understood emerging technologies. “Why should our children only read about electric buses in the textbooks when they can see them, study them, and one day build one of their own and maintain them?” he asked. He said the shift towards modern transport technologies could create opportunities in engineering, vehicle maintenance, electrical technology and the green economy. However, he cautioned that introducing new technologies would require suitable infrastructure, skilled workers and sustainable investment. He also stressed that technological innovation should not distract from the need to make roads safer. Logan Kruger, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety and Transport at Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, said the career exhibition was an important opportunity for learners to explore the transport sector and consider their future studies. “Our young people must not remain spectators in the technological transformation of our economy,” Kruger said. She said young people needed to take an active interest in the opportunities available to them, noting that government policies alone could not guarantee their participation in the economy. Kruger also called for cooperation between government, municipalities, transport operators and other stakeholders to improve road safety, infrastructure and public transport services. The provincial campaign forms part of the annual October Transport Month initiative, which promotes safer roads, improved mobility, accessible public transport and the role of transport in economic development and service delivery. #BeTheFirstToKnow