Browsing by Author "Libunyu, Edzani"

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    Paratransit-oriented transit orientated development in the Global South: minibus taxi urbanism in South Africa.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2024-03) Libunyu, Edzani; Geyer, Hermanus Stepanus ; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study evaluates the benefits and challenges associated with the integration of paratransit into Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) in South Africa, with a particular focus on the parallel operation of paratransit with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the operation of paratransit-orientated TOD in peri-urban settlements in the Global South. TOD is an integral component of the nation's transportation and urban development policies, as emphasised in various national, provincial, and local policies in Cape Town. The primary objective of TOD is to reshape the urban landscape of South Africa, redressing the spatial inequities stemming from the historical legacy of apartheid urban planning, urban sprawl, housing unaffordability, and increased economic and labour costs whilst providing sustainable public transportation services. A fundamental challenge is developing a cost-efficient and affordable public transportation system that increases spatial mobility, accessibility and non-motorised transportation whilst reducing travel distances and travel times. The study underscores that the relationship between TOD, transportation modalities, and land use dynamics in Africa differs substantially from the Global North, predominantly due to the prevalence of paratransit transportation services in African cities. Furthermore, the deeply segregated and spatially fragmented urban structure in South African cities exacerbates expensive long-distance commutes and inefficient peak-to-off-peak demand distribution. The inappropriate application of TOD models leads to costly and unsustainable transportation services, and a highly cross-subsidised public transportation model that reinforces fragmented settlement patterns. To address these challenges, the research advocates for a paratransit-orientated TOD model customised to the unique contexts of African cities, aiming to produce a flexible and affordable transportation service that is demand responsive to lower-income groups and high-density informal mixed-use development in peripheral townships and which carries lower subsidisation costs. This model adopts an experimental approach to development and envisions a polycentric urban framework, linking peripheral high-density settlements to inner-city TODs through circular transportation routes. The research results indicate that although there are no policy limitations to integrating paratransit, particularly the Minibus Taxi (MBT) service, state policies promoted Western-style BRT models in addition to paratransit and other public transportation modes, creating a contradictory and unsustainable BRT service with a low ridership, high subsidies, unaffordable pricing and limited spatial coverage. Paratransit can improve BRT services due to its quick and efficient services, high fuel economy, spatial flexibility and cost-efficient operations. The main challenges to integrate paratransit into BRT models is the large sunk costs of existing BRT infrastructure, adapting unscheduled MBT services, route duplication, administrative challenges of coordinating with multiple operators and its perception as unsafe and unresponsive to traffic regulations. It is envisioned that extending recapitalisation programmes can serve to further regularise paratransit services, particularly on cost-inefficient BRT routes. Many MBT operators are willing to integrate into regularised BRT services to streamline their own operations and the perception of the paratransit industry. The main grievances is the marginalisation of MBT as a last-mile feeder service and the lack of knowledge amongst transportation officials regarding the operational needs, and poor public engagement processes in TOD strategies. Key to the successful integration of paratransit into TOD strategies is extensive MBT engagement in all phases of the TOD policies and community education and awareness programmes informing MBT operators of BRT policy, logistics and management, and improving the perception of paratransit amongst the general public as a regularised and safe service.