Inefficient public transport systems affect more than just the economy

An efficient and integrated public transport system is vital for South Africa. It will do so much more than just ease the ills and frustrations of the daily traffic congestion on our roads, says BAZIL GOVENDER.

Sustainable and affordable public transport is not only critical to minimising the cost of congestion but also has a direct correlation to improved economic growth. Accessibility to transport means access to employment, services, recreation, tourism, and leisure.

Access to efficient public transport systems facilitates movement and interaction between urban and rural communities and individuals. If developed and maintained sustainably, this will only benefit these communities and, by extension, society at large.

Removing barriers to public transport: a national imperative

The barriers to public transport represent a major obstacle to transition. The barrier to entry (at scale) for new operators and the barriers blocking access to public transport are a double-edged sword for broader society. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for this, and certainly no silver bullet.

Is BRT the answer?

Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTs) are touted as the answer to all our complex public road transport-related problems. As such, the intensified approach to implementing the BRTs across the country is being rushed through without the requisite planning and competencies in place.

The BRT space in South Africa is fraught with other complexities, which design and implementation were intended to solve. For instance:

• There is growing dissatisfaction amongst affected operators that the system does not compensate them sustainably.
• Despite being implemented with a desired net positive impact on traffic, lack of enforcement sees daily and flagrant violations of BRT and traffic rules, thus defeating the very objectives of the BRT implementation.
• The funding model is highly skewed towards ensuring the rate per kilometre is paid no matter the prevailing high levels of cost inefficiencies.
• Most (if not all) BRT operations have had no penalties imposed for non-performance.

The psycho-social toll

Daily commutes on South Africa’s roads are characterised by traffic jams, no matter the route you take. Unfortunately for the majority of commuters, this option is not one of convenience but of necessity. The stark reality is that the availability of public transport does not match this necessity. Some of the unintended consequences of this seriously affect the fabric and morale of society:

• Long hours spent on the daily commute reduce quality time for family and social activities.
• Safety and security risks and other issues affect the personal psyche of commuters.
• Frustrations of breakdowns and delays create added stress for individuals facing disciplinary action at work and possible loss of employment.
• Universal access is almost non-existent for users with restricted physical mobility.

Although the long-term effects of this on the affected commuters have not been documented, it certainly takes a huge psychological toll, which eventually casts public transport in a poor light.

Should access to public transport be a basic right?

In a period where service delivery is a key focus across communities, should access to public transport not be a fundamental basic right for our people?

Functional, integrated, and accessible public transport will surely have an all-round positive impact on our country. At a very high level, immediate positive benefits would include:

• Environmental improvements, as access to public transport will reduce the number of cars on the road.
• Fostering social cohesion through increased participation and access to economic activity.
• Improved general health and well-being, as utilising public transport should ideally mean a positive impact on disposable income.
• Increased access to newly created opportunities, both for businesses and workers.
• Significantly addressing some of the past imbalances, allowing for a transition of ownership and equity in public transport.

There can be no argument that all of these factors contribute to an improved social fabric. The sooner the policy and lawmakers at all tiers of government recognise public transport as a major enabler, the sooner we can move towards transitioning our public transport networks and attracting the required levels of investment in infrastructure and the coordinated expansion of current networks.

While the benefits of public transport may appear obvious to those who want to see a long-term sustainable transition, it is important that this narrative is also sustained and that the pressure is maintained on government – in particular, the national, provincial, and local departments of transport. Providing accessible and efficient public transport must be one of the main objectives of the policy implementers at all levels of government.

We already have a solution

The bus and coach industry is one of the most resilient sectors within the public transport environment. The industry has been calling for certainty within the contracting regime in order to create long-term sustainability, transition, and integration.

It seems quite hard for the key role players within government to be bold and decisive (within a complicated but self-created legal and economic conundrum), but it can and must be done.

Government and the transport authorities must not only preserve the bus and coach industry, but effectively legislate to enhance the services provided. Embracing technology will not only add momentum to the direction we need to collectively take, but will also create a sense of ownership for all stakeholders.

All stakeholders must also frame the bus and coach industry in a positive manner to attract and influence a modal shift. The priority should not be jostling to get the first seat on the bus, but to ensure that there is always a bus to take us where we need to go safely.