The brand war between cars (SOV's) and public transport: the case for a private alternative transport network

Abstract

Paper presented at the 30th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 11-14 July 2011 "Africa on the Move", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

This paper discusses the challenges we face as a result of car use and the projected increase in cars on our roads. It also looks at the barriers we face in our efforts to mitigate or reverse the effects of this trend. We look at current academic thinking and the limitations surrounding the ability of academia and traditional models to help in solving transport problems. The paper then goes on to suggest possible solutions and ways of overcoming these challenges, specifically making a case for a private, Alternative Transport Network (ATN).lt will also be argued that the model of the ATN is manifestly in the long and short term interests of both the public and private sector and of all who use transport in our cities. The business case for and operational model of an ATN are not in the scope of this paper.