Public transport : a new planning paradigm required to succeed

Abstract

Paper presented at the 23rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 12 - 15 July 2004 "Getting recognition for the importance of transport", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. In the 1950’s public transport in South Africa was at its pinnacle. The major cities enjoyed extensive networks of rail, bus and tram systems. Not only did these systems operate without subsidy, but the operator paid the authorities for the rights to operate on routes. During the 1960’s authorities adopted the North American Transportation Planning approach focusing primarily on private cars. Freeways were built, arterials were widened, tramlines were buried under bitumen and footway widths were reduced to accommodate parking. This private car planning philosophy has prevailed for almost half a century. With the latest policy documents and National Land Transport Transitional Act No.22, 2000 there is a renewed emphasis on putting public transport first. In order to implement this policy a new transport-planning paradigm is required. This paper investigates a new paradigm which truly puts public transport and the people first, as opposed to the existing paradigm which treats public transport and people as a by product to private vehicles.