Intergrated public transport networks in rural KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 7-10 July 2014 "Leading Transport into the Future", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.It is well known that improving mobility for rural communities can provide a better quality of life and reduce poverty. This is emphasized in the National Department of Transport’s Rural Transport Strategy for South Africa, (2007) which highlights the fact that “Rural poverty is pervasive and difficult to address. Improving mobility can reduce poverty by facilitating communities to social services and facilitate their participation in political and economic activities.” Urbanisation does not solve all our problems with regard to job creation and poverty alleviation. Rural living provides many opportunities for individuals and communities such that they have a dignified lifestyle with the ability to support themselves through subsistence living and agriculture. A key aspect to enhancing the quality of life of rural communities is to ensure that good quality and cost-effective transport is available. This allows individuals to exploit job opportunities that are a distance away or to provide access to markets for products and services. This public transport study is being carried out in this context ensuring that the mobility needs of the people and communities in three District Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal are met efficiently and effectively. This paper discusses the methodology undertaken when preparing the conceptual designs for an Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) in three District Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. The outcome of which ensures that through the provision of an integrated public transport network, employment opportunities and economic growth is stimulated in rural communities.