How physically accessible is public transport in South Africa?
There are many ways to get around in South Africa. You could hop on a bus, hail a taxi, or catch a train. But have you ever stopped to wonder how easy that is for everyone?While the public transport system is. . .
There are many ways to get around in South Africa. You could hop on a bus, hail a taxi, or catch a train. But have you ever stopped to wonder how easy that is for everyone?While the public transport system is extensive and generally assists most people, it still has limitations. Getting on a local bus or train can prove to be physically challenging. Other options like ride-hailing may be a bit more accommodating. But how physically accessible is public transport in South Africa?What is physical accessibility?Being physically accessible means that a space’s design and layout are usable by anyone with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments. It refers to the ease with which people can reach, enter and use these spaces. This can include making entrances easy to access with ramps or automatic doors, sensory aids and Braille signage to assist people with visual impairments and ensuring spaces are wide enough for wheelchair access and navigation. Why should public transport be physically accessible?Everyone has a right to the freedom of movement. When public transport is physically accessible, it eliminates barriers that restrict movement for people with disabilities. It enables them to independently access essential services, employment, healthcare and education, serving them equally. Having an inclusive transit system improves a city’s livability and quality of life. Physically accessible public transport benefits everyone. For example, spacious aisles and level boarding can help parents with strollers, while station accessibility, like lifts and escalators, helps the elderly and anyone with temporary injuries. Getting around in South AfricaThe network of public transport in South Africa offers both foreigners and locals a variety of ways to move around our beautiful country. Let’s take a look at a few local transit options that can help you get around major cities. Minibus taxisWhatever our feelings may be towards them, these taxis play a major role in transportation in South Africa. Although they are privately owned and run informally, they are often regarded as part of the public transport sector. Minibus taxis are an affordable way to get around in South Africa. They can also be convenient as they don’t follow strict schedules and routes. They’re also not just for major cities but can be found in smaller cities and towns as well. Minibus taxis are a common way to get around. Image: UnsplashCity buses and trainsAnother common method of urban transit, buses and trains offer travellers budget-friendly services. They may, however, be limited by routes and locations. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, like theMyCitibuses in Cape Town, have been established only in certain metropolitan areas. Their projects are still under expansion and upgrades so there may be more integrated transit options in the future. Metrorail trains are one of the most affordable modes of transport in South Africa and run on extensive networks, making it easy to commute. Rapid rail is another way to commute, although it’s only available in certain parts of Gauteng and tickets are more pricey. Ride-hailingThese are an affordable way to commute around South Africa. They are available on-demand, making them convenient and easy to locate. Apps like Uber and Bolt are popular, while the market is growing to include local companies as well. Is public transport physically accessible in South Africa?Public transport in South Africa is physically accessible when the journey of a commuter is barrier-free from their starting point to their destination. Public transport in South Africa has its challenges when it comes to accessibility, with most networks being largely inaccessible. Minibus taxis are a dominating means of transit but are difficult to navigate for those with visual, audio or mobility impairments. Wheelchair users can face difficulty trying to board minibus taxis as they are not wheelchair friendly. Astudyalso showed that persons with mobility impairments felt disempowered and lacked choice when trying to use a taxi because they couldn’t exercise autonomy when boarding and faced complaints from other passengers for delaying them. Metrorail suffers from severe infrastructure gaps that limit its accessibility. Uneven platforms, a lack of tactile paving and ramps, as well as broken handrails pose a high risk of injury for everyone, let alone persons with mobility and vision impairments. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt offer more accessibility solutions. They usually have specialised options in major cities that include extra assistance and wheelchair accessible vehicles. Will public transport ever be fully accessible?Maybe only to a certain extent. The Department of Transport has been taking steps towards universally accessible transport for all. Asummitheld in 2024 noted acknowledgement of the barriers that people with disabilities in South Africa face in accessing safe, equal, secure and dignified transport. An action plan was proposed at the summit that prioritised an enabling environment, customer-focused transport services, accessible systems, accessible buildings and infrastructure, accessible vehicles and workplace accessibility. The country has seen some improvement with the implementation of BRTs and rapid rail transit. The design of their infrastructure and transport itself has been done with accessibility in mind. However, more routes are definitely needed, and in more locations. The affordability of these systems also need to be reconsidered, as many can’t afford these prices, especially when more than one mode of transit is required to complete their journey. Other transit systems may still be a long way off. Minibus taxis are an informal means of transport and even though 66% of South Africa uses them on their daily commute, it’s hard to see any changes in the future that would make them more accessible. But I do hope there is more innovation in the future that will make public transport in South Africa more inclusive.