Abstract:
Public transport is used by the majority of the South African population to commute
between home, school, other amenities and their place of work. There is, however, a
severe deficiency in the quality of public transport data in South Africa. The absence of a
standardised public transport data system is detrimental to researchers and commuters
who make use of this data. This paper examines the adverse effects of inadequate public
transport data on research, public transport planning and urban planning. It highlights the
challenges resulting from inadequate public transport data and its detrimental effects on
decision-making. Furthermore, the paper highlights the myriad of benefits that
standardised, and easily accessible transport data can bring. The paper’s goal is to
demonstrate the critical need for enhanced public transport data in research and planning
and discuss potential solutions for improving data availability. This will pave the way for a
more informed and efficient approach to transportation policy and practice.
