The State of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport System in South Africa

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22702848

Rosinah Modikoa Pillay (Department of Public Administration, University of Limpopo, South Africa)

Initially, South Africa implemented the Integrated Rapid Public Transport System (IRPTS) to address inadequate public transport, urban congestion, social exclusion, and environmental sustainability challenges. The system aims to provide a reliable, affordable, and integrated transport system that promotes economic development and mobility. In this paper, the state of the art of IRPTS in South Africa is analysed, focusing on its implementation, operational effectiveness, achievements, and ongoing challenges. The IRPTS was assessed for implementation and its effects using secondary sources, including peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and municipal transport plans. Data sources were Google Scholar, Scopus, and the South African Department of Transport records. A thematic content analysis of the literature identified key themes emphasising transport infrastructure and accessibility, operational effectiveness, governance, and financial sustainability. The analysis study considers BRT and other integrated transport systems for large metropolitan municipalities. It also further evaluated the extent to which the system has contributed to improved transit accessibility, shorter travel times, and better service delivery for commuters. The study introduced issues related to the modernisation of urban transport: financial sustainability challenges, insufficient network integration, operational inefficiencies, infrastructure maintenance problems, and stakeholder disputes are listed, but there has been significant headway in this area. The result indicates that the IRPTS has been a positive factor in implementing a transformation in public transport services in certain cities. However, sustainable finance, institutionalised governance, integrated multimodal transport systems across the public and private sectors, greater stakeholder involvement, and stronger cooperation with the public transport sector were also needed to sustain the development of the projects. The research highlights that resolving such challenges is essential to creating an efficient, integrated, inclusive, and sustainable public transport system in South Africa.