Functional and dysfunctional urban mass transportation systems in the greater Gauteng region of South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present some insights regarding functional and dysfunctional urban public mass transportation systems in the greater Gauteng region of South Africa. Making use of a case study approach that places greater Johannesburg and Pretoria region at the centre of the investigation, contextual urban public mass transport struggles and dialogues are reviewed. Employing the interview surveys and a synthesis approach, the capacity and capability of the existing urban public transport to meet expectations of the serviced population in the greater Johannesburg region is critiqued. The contribution and value add that recent improvements in public transport management such as the Gautrain and Rea Vaya Bus rapid Transit (BRT) are explored and urban public transport "pain points and hotspots" considered. The major conclusions of the paper revolve around implementing a package of innovative and alternative transport solutions and technologies to overcome various obstacles and constraints to improved public transport service and infrastructure delivery and sustainability.

Sustainable transport solutions at a crossroads in developing countries: insights and perspectives

“… Promotion of a healthy balance regarding the construction, provision, delivery and maintenance of non-motorised and public transport infrastructure and services (Kumar and Barrett [1] and Chakwizira et al [6]);  Robust and proactive implementation of effective transport demand management through economic incentives, public communications, and education (Chakwizira [5]);  Increasing and widening the traffic safety dragnet of interventions including incorporating clean air policies for mobile emission sources, and improving technical vehicle inspection;  Increasing the efficiency of the different transport modes including the road sector, especially by improving rural road construction and maintenance;  Developing sustainable urban transport systems by improving public transport services and non-motorised transport including the introduction of green public routes, green public transport, green public roads in a phased approach etc. ;  Improving infrastructure management and financing systems through adoption approaches such as Build-Own-Operate (BOO), Build-OwnOperate-Transfer (BOOT) etc.…”

“…Many of the urban residents (motorists and pedestrians) spend hours commuting to work, school or seeking to access various facilities. Even more alarming is the situation in rural areas, where roads and means of transport are lacking and access to employment opportunities, to health care facilities, to schools or even to the nearest urban market is limited (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development [4], Chakwizira [5], Kumar and Barrett [1], Haq and Schwela [8] and Chakwizira et al [6]). Without adequate mobility, there is little possibility of overcoming poverty.…”

“…In many developing countries mega cities and large conurbations, such as Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg, urban traffic is in distress (Kumar and Barrett [1], Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development [4], Chakwizira [5] and Chakwizira et al [6]). Traffic jams, ear-deafening noise and smog -caused by the vast numbers of trucks, buses, minibuses and mopeds that obstruct roads and junctions -are a direct result of increasing urbanisation and motorisation.…”

Searching for sustainable urban transport solutions for Africa: a case study of the Greater Johannesburg region in South Africa

“…The current challenge is to reverse and transform the skewed transport landscape and replace it with a new generation of sustainable transport model for African cities [6,7,13]. The same problems of fragmented and dispersed urban settlements that are difficult to services and traverse exist in the Greater Johannesburg region of South Africa [8,9]. Gauteng's road network has to cope with an annual traffic increase rate of 7%, with 1.8 million drivers and 2.8 million registered vehicles [14].…”

“…Africa is home to over 13 per cent of the world's total population and is growing at 2.7 per cent per year, which is the world's fastest rate [1,2] The share of Africa's urban areas in relation to the average annual population growth is expected to more than double between the years 2000-2030 [3][4][5]. Weak, inappropriate and at times the absence of policies that link strongly land use, transport and economic development has led to urban sprawl, spatial fragmentation, long commuting and journey times, which accentuates the challenges of providing a world class urban transport and services system in urban areas [6][7][8]. Consequently, Africa's urban centres face instructive challenges regarding urban mobility.…”