The state of transport opinion poll: gauteng 2021

Abstract

Transport is a major concern for South Africans and remains a constraint to the livelihoods of many people. Concerns range from the state of road, rail and facility infrastructure and service levels of public transport to e-tolls and law enforcement. The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies has revived its annual State of Transport Opinion Poll to provide a comprehensive perspective on the transport issues that are faced by Gauteng residents. A survey of 521 respondents was conducted to gauge their opinions on transport-related matters. Previous polls (2012-2015) were used as a base for comparison. The study found a major dampening of enthusiasm regarding the state of transport, both country-wide and in their local areas, with most people believing that improvements are unlikely in the near future. Major issues continue to be the poor state of public transport services, the worsening condition of road infrastructure, and weak law enforcement. Gauteng residents also indicated that the public transport service providers did not sufficiently adhere to COVID-19 protocols. By implication, the commuting public faces insufficient, poor-quality services, where people are left vulnerable to crime, accidents, and illness. This information could be of value to policymakers by expanding on household travel data to add to the database of opinions and concerns about a broad range of transport-related issues