Venter, C.J. (Christoffel Jacobus)Molomo, MaleselaMashiri, Mac2014-12-022014-12-022014-12Venter, CJ, Molomo, M & Mashin, M 2014, 'Supply and pricing strategies of informal rural transport providers', Journal of Transport Geography, vol. 41, pp. 239-248.0966-6923 (print)1873-1236 (online)10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.10.001http://hdl.handle.net/2263/42738Informal paratransit operators using a range of vehicle types (including pickup trucks, small buses, and motorcycles) are a major provider of mobility in rural areas of the developing world. The paper describes a mixed method approach used to examine such operators’ decisions about vehicle deployment, route frequency, network organisation, and pricing in three rural districts in South Africa. New evidence is presented showing that the condition of rural roads (both paved and unpaved) affects the quantity and quality of public transport services provided, as well as the fares charged to passengers. This strengthens the case for judicious infrastructure investment as a way of improving rural access and livelihoods, and suggests how this might happen by way of leveraging better private sector responses. We also describe the emergence of a differentiated service hierarchy involving a variety of vehicle types suited to different operating conditions, and based on intentional coordination among operators of minibus and pickup truck (‘bakkie’) services. We argue that governments should promote such coordination and innovation in rural transport markets.en© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Transport Geography. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Transport Geography, vol. 41, pp. 239-248. 2014. doi : 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.10.001.Rural transport servicesPoisson regression modelsSub-Saharan AfricaParatransitRural roadsPostprint Article