• South African households spend over 20% of their income on transport expenses for long commutes, a burden largely rooted in apartheid-era spatial dislocation and inefficient land-use planning.
•  Compounding this economic strain is the ageing and deteriorating condition of South Africa’s road and public transport infrastructure, with much of it degrading faster than it can be repaired due to constrained maintenance budgets, insufficient infrastructure upgrades, high traffic volumes, and heavy freight loads.
• This infrastructure challenge is particularly pronounced in the rail transport system, where mismanagement, inadequate funding and maintenance have led to deteriorating signalling systems and rolling stock, reducing rail as an option for low-income commuters and increasing their reliance on more expensive or less efficient transport modes.
• This, coupled with high levels of crime, vandalism, harassment in transport spaces, and ongoing conflicts within the minibus taxi industry, disrupts service delivery and further deters commuters.

South African urban areas are characterised by spatial legacies from apartheid-era planning, with residential suburbs often far removed from employment centres. This results in disproportionately high transport costs, with households spending over 20% of their income on transport, while public transit revenues cover only a fraction of operating costs.

Maintaining South Africa’s road network and public transport assets is an immense challenge that urgently needs attention. Much of the infrastructure is ageing and deteriorating faster than it can be repaired, primarily due to constrained maintenance budgets, increasing traffic volumes, and heavy freight loads that accelerate wear and tear. The lack of consistent routine and preventative maintenance has led to escalating repair costs and a steady decline in infrastructure quality, particularly within rural and municipal areas.

Without sustained investment, enhanced maintenance planning, and stronger institutional capacity, the continued deterioration of these assets will compromise economic productivity, road safety, and equitable access to essential services.

As South Africa celebrates Transport Month this October, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) reaffirms its commitment to leading solutions for the pressing challenges and transformative potential of urban mobility through integrated public transport systems. South African cities face unique transport dynamics that impact economic productivity, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

“We need to address this by adopting integrated asset management systems and prioritising lifecycle-based maintenance strategies, which will be critical for ensuring the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s transport infrastructure,” comments Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane, SAICE’s CEO. “Our expertise in engineering and infrastructure development places us at the forefront of addressing these complexities with innovative, multidisciplinary approaches,” she adds.

The current pace of urbanisation in South African cities provides a unique opportunity to address these urban development challenges if land use and transport planning are coordinated, improved access is prioritised in locating new public housing investments, and strategies are implemented to manage increased car use.

“Tackling mobility requires progressive spatial transformation, reducing travel distances, encouraging bi-directional flows, and creating mixed-use urban environments supported by diverse housing options,” notes Lethu Dlanjwa, Chairperson of SAICE’s Transport Division.

According to Dlanjwa, integrated public transport relies on seamless connectivity across multiple modes: buses, trains, minibus taxis, and non-motorised transport. Improving access can be achieved through land use as well as transport interventions, while mobility improvements are limited to the transport system. By changing macro land use patterns, distances between origins and destinations can be reduced, minimising motorised transport needs of any kind. In addition, more site-specific, “micro” land use changes (e.g. making areas more pedestrian-friendly) can make public transport in particular more efficient and effective.

“Public transport interchanges (PTI) need to be planned and designed as safe, inclusive spaces for passengers. These multi-modal hubs should feature accessible platforms, integrated wayfinding systems, and robust security measures to ensure seamless access to the public transport network and smooth transfers between different modes. Beyond their transport function, these hubs will play a vital role in supporting local economic activity,” Dlanjwa added.

Technology needs to play a vital supporting role in enhancing our public transport system and improving the commuter experience. For instance, real-time passenger information and journey planners can provide live arrival times and trip planning tools could reduce perceived wait times and build trust in public transport services.

“Additionally, smart ticketing systems and integrated fares would simplify transfers between modes by using account-based ticketing, which also enables demand management and enhances revenue control for operators. This technology fosters a smoother and more efficient payment process across the entire public transport network,” says Marli Swart, SAICE Transport Division Committee Member.

However, to support the successful integration of different public transport modes, policy frameworks and regulatory changes are necessary.

Comments Dlanjwa, “It’s critical to strengthen and implement integrated transport planning at the city and metropolitan level by making Integrated Transport Plans binding, complemented by clear performance targets and dedicated funding mechanisms. Integrating paratransit services, especially minibus taxis, into the formal public transport system is essential, along with clarifying their formal role and establishing regulations that recognise and coordinate these services, all of which will contribute to creating a cohesive and more efficient transport network.”

South Africa has much to gain by learning from global best practices in integrated urban mobility while adapting them to local contexts marked by informal transport and spatial inequalities. For example, Curitiba in Brazil demonstrates the success of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, which use dedicated lanes and integrated land-use planning. Although the BRT system has been a great success in other developing countries, South Africa has its unique challenges with public transport. Formalising minibus taxi routes and developing mixed-use areas near transport hubs can be the first step in addressing spatial divides in South African cities.

Enhanced collaboration between government bodies, the private sector, and communities is vital to delivering integrated transport solutions. “Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) can mobilise resources for infrastructure projects for MBT, with public oversight ensuring social objectives are met”, explains Dlanjwa.

“Community engagement through participatory workshops and digital platforms helps incorporate the needs of informal settlements, while community-led safety audits at taxi ranks can address security concerns,” Dlanjwa adds.

This integrated approach combining technology, policy, sustainability, international best practices, and collaborative governance represent SAICE’s commitment to advancing urban mobility and public transport systems that are inclusive, efficient, and environmentally responsible.