SA public transport’s image on rocky road

Not only has South Africa just come through a particularly bad holiday season as far as road accidents and fatalities go, but despite huge capital upgrade and/or expansion programmes in most of the major metropolitan areas, the image of its public transport system is still extremely negative. A scan of information websites aimed at the tourist and related industries portrays even a scary image of what visitors to the country can expect.

Three examples from the website give a  fairly  comprehensive overview.

SA-venues.com

At the web-address http://www.sa-venues.com/transport_tours_and_travel.htm, this websites writes:

“Public transport in South Africa is not as well established as foreign visitors may be accustomed to. While this is constantly being improved, make sure that your transport arrangements are taken care of before you travel, to ensure a stress-free holiday in our country ...

“Select from a wide range of travel options - either go it alone and hire a camper or rent a car for an independent holiday, or take a package tour and let the experts take care of it all.”

Why go South Africa

At the web-address http://www.southafricalogue.com/transportation , this website paints a picture that goes from the negative to the scary. It writes (in some bad English):

“Two major international airports are the gateways to South Africa. Once here, you can choose one of the domestic flights, trains, buses or rent a car. Within the cities, don’t relay (sic) too much on the public transportation. Instead, you can walk, rent a car or a scooter.

“In a country where the local transport is not friendly or safe, the only option is to rent a car directly at the airport. It’s also a good idea to ask for a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel (most hotels offer that).

Walking in the Cities

“Walking is not particularly a good idea as the cities are vast. Unless you need to go from the hotel to the beach or you live right near the attractions, you should better rent a car.

“Unless you love to dodge traffic while cycling, it’s not quite a good idea to use cycling as transportation within the cities. However, you can cycle in designated areas.

Public Transportation

“Unfortunately the public system in South Africa is not exactly reliable, efficient or user friendly. Also, it can be quite dangerous.

“The public train system in Cape Town is extensive but the comfort can’t even be compared to that of the European trains. Also, security is an issue. If you have to use the public transport, don’t let anything expensive in sight. Hide the camera, don’t wear ear-rings, necklaces or other visible jewelry as those can be ripped quite easily (and painfully for you!).

“Public transport in Johannesburg is very limited. While in Pretoria, you can use the public bus service but you should be really careful with your valuables.”

Expat Arrivals

While there is a big drive from some quarters to try and persuade skilled South African expats to return to home, at expatarrivals.com they are warned not to expect too much with the public transport system if they should return to the country. At http://www.expatarrivals.com/south-africa/transport-and-driving-in-south-africa they are told that “... the South African government has recently introduced an initiative to improve the public transport sector, but as it’s only in its beginning stages it has yet to be proven successful or reliable. The initiative, known as the integrated rapid transit system, aims to integrate Metrorail services, road-based services on trunk routes, conventional bus services, minibus taxi integration, feeder bus services, improved pedestrian and bicycle access, metered taxi integration, and park-and-ride facilities in the main city centres of South Africa.

“For those feeling brave, or rather brazen, the minibus taxis, trains and buses are the preferred methods of public transportation by the masses.
“The trains and buses are recognised by the state as formal methods of transportation, but are organised and owned by private companies.  The buses tend to be slow and the routes round about. The trains, though much quicker, only provide access to/from choice destinations, and timetables aren’t necessarily adhered to.

“The minibus taxi is an informal method of transportation owned and organised by corrupt collectives who are constantly at odds with the government. Though these are by far the most efficient and the cheapest method of transportation across South Africa, the vehicles are often unsafe, the drivers unlicensed and uninsured, and the attitudes of those involved have little respect for traffic safety considerations.”

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Comments (1)

• |2012-01-18 09:47:38 Kim  - So true
  I agree. I live in Diepsloot where our only form of transport is the minibus taxi. We have no buses or trains, in fact because of this most people struggle to find employment as people are not willing to hire"people who wont always be on time".but how can you expect 1 person to get to work on time when about 550 taxis transport around 175000 people in and out of Diepsloot. It is a real shame that we only have 1 alternative whilst other townships have 3.
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