The document discusses the importance of policy coherence, alignment, and institutional coherence in transport policy, particularly reflecting on South Africa's historical framework and current developments. It highlights the challenges and mixed results of past policies, attributing failures mainly to issues of implementation. The presenter encourages discussion within the transport policy community to explore these themes further.

1. Policy Coherence, Policy Alignment &
Institutional Coherence
Some food for
thought…….
Transport Forum: 1st October 2015
By: Elvin Harris

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Disclaimer
This is NOT a Transnet presentation.
The views expressed are those of the presenter alone.
They are personal contemplations and reflections, meant to start a conversation
amongst the Transport Policy Community….which I believe fits very nicely with
the work of the Transport Forum SIG i.e not only to be informed and updated,
but also to engage in discussion and conversation on topical matters.
It’s a very simple, but hopefully, discussion, and is not based on hard science or
scientific analysis. It is hoped that the robust scientific analysis and research will
follow…..

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What is Policy Coherence?
According to the OECD:
“The systematic promotion of mutually reinforcing policy actions
across government departments and agencies creating synergies
towards achieving the agreed objectives. Within national
governments, policy coherence issues arise between different types
of public policies, between different levels of government, between
different stakeholders and at an international level.”
– The EU mostly refers to policy coherence in the context of programmes for
Developing Countries i.e. Policy Coherence for Development

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International Perspective: Strong Coherence & Alignment
Policies, Institutions & Implementation
• Singapore
• Germany
• Netherlands
• USA/USSR after WW2
• China
• European Union?
• SADC?
• Gulf States?
• Canada
• Switzerland

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Coherence in Drug and Alcohol Policy in Ireland: a useful model

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Perceived Policy Incongruence in the US as portrayed by cartoonist
Herbert Block

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National Policies & Strategies
Strong Coherence and Alignment
• RDP
• GEAR
• AsgiSA
• MSA
• NDP
• NGP

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A Brief History of (Time)…. National Transport Policy & Strategy
Development in South Africa
• 1909 – South Africa Act (not policy though): provided for administration
of Railways, Ports and Harbours of the Union
– Airways added in 1916
– Roads Boards established under act 39, 1930
– National Roads Board established under act 42, 1935
• 1936 – Calls for the establishment of a Ministry of Transport
• 1943 – Establishment of Ministry of Transport (sectoral)
• 1969 – Commission of Enquiry into the Coordination of Transport in
South Africa (Marais Report)
• 1986 – DeVilliers Report (multi-modal)
• 1996 – White Paper on National Transport Policy (sectoral)
• 1998/99 – Moving South Africa & MSA – The Action Agenda (sectoral)
• 2002 – Commercial Ports Policy (modal)
• 2005 – National Freight Logistics Strategy (multi-modal)
• 2015 - Green Paper on National Rail Policy (modal)

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Many great policies and strategies over many years, but
results in achieving policy outcomes have been mixed….
Why?
• Sometimes its design…..
• Sometimes its processes…..
• *Mostly, according to M.F. Mitchell, its:
– Implementation
– Implementation
– Implementation…….
• And at times, a combination!
* Source: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED ASPECTS OF
SOUTH AFRICAN TRANSPORTATION POLICY (Malcolm F Mitchell, UJ, 2009

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Where are we NOW?
Current National Transport Policy & Strategy Development s
National
Rail Policy
Review of
NFLS National Road
Freight Strategy
Natmap
2.0
Branch lines
Strategy
Review of National
Transport Policy
Draft Bill on
Economic Regulation
of Transport
How coherent are we?

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Is Policy Alignment and Coherence Possible, or is it an
impossible pipedream?
Yes!
BUT, ……..
It depends…….
• Political system of governing – dictatorship or constitutional
democracy, or something in-between?
• Socio-economic conditions?
• Political & Societal consciousness – fearful or tolerant?

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Perhaps achieving Policy Coherence, Alignment and Institutional
Coherence is a matter of degrees rather than absolutes….
Coherent
Incoherent
Target Zone

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