Dream Idea for integrated transport system — created short period prior to Taxify & Uber arrival in South Africa — ( concept created for Britehouse : 2014)

Imagineering the South African transport system

“By 2038, Gauteng will have 18.6-million inhabitants. What’s worrying is that we’ll have 8.9-million workers. That’s 8.9-million home-work trips & work-home trips. ±24-million to 25-million passenger trips a day.”

— Just think how much traffic and road rage that will be, when it’s already a problem. Think of how polluted our city will get if we continue on this route of ±1–2 people per car. Imagine the chaos.

Vehicle population stats (Feb 2018)

Gauteng has the most registered vehicles via the eNatis system with 4 643 741. Next is the Western Cape with 1 935 054 followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 1 607 946.

image source: Vehicle population statistics for January/February 2018 per province

Delivery of robust and sustainable public transport networks in South Africa by 2020 are vital.

The state of SA’s public transport

So far, there are numerous methods of transport — but they aren’t all supported as one united platform.

The efficiency & reliability of current public transport system

The only areas where transport works more efficiently is within a 2km radius of Sandton. (The tourist space). The everyday communters, those who travel further distances and who rely solely on public transport, are the ones who suffer the most. (Info based on my travel journeys over the past 2 decades)

The above representation of the existing transport system is very similar to the layout of the city in the manga series, “Attack on Titan”. The similarity lies in the fact, that everything works better in the more affluent area in the center (Sandton), decreasing in efficiency and frequency as you make your way towards the outer areas.

source

Observation

There are several means of transport in South Africa currently, all of which are imbalanced and unsustainable in different ways (The combination of the majority most frequently used modes, are also the most damaging to the environment, most damaging to humanity as a collective- on a macro & exo level, the ecological, as well as the meso & micro levels of psychological & the immediate family system ):

Modes of transport and the problems they cause

Cars

During weekdays, most who drive, will have 1–2 people per car. Not many carpool. Increased pollution and congestion on the roads. Further adding to driving frustrations and road rage, especially between cars and minibus taxis. Most who own cars, prefer the reliability and freedom this provides them, due to the unreliability and dangers of public transport. Others alternate, using their cars 1/5 week day per week (usually Fridays) and weekends; while 4/5 week days they’ll use public transport, to reduce their petrol costs. But those numbers are few and far between.

You’ll never guess how many vehicles are registered in SA

Hijackings

If you have a car, the risk of being hijacked only increases.

‘1 car hijacked every 32 minutes’ in SA

‘1 car hijacked every 32 minutes’ in SA

Sources: Bus commuters & car owners

South African Transport System: Uber/Taxify N E X T →