Challenges facing the transformation of the public transport system in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa: history in the making
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Date
2012-06
Authors
Siyongwana, Pakama Q.
Binza, Mzikayise S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
The transformation of the public transport system is a common occurrence in cities across the globe and
is widely discussed in scholarly and policy circles. However, robust discussion on the transformation
of the public transport system, using the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in emerging economies like
South Africa, is limited. This article assesses the challenges involved in the transformation of the public
road transport system in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), with special reference to the BRT system.
The empirical data for the study were drawn from the fieldwork, meetings, focus group discussions,
and interviews with affected stakeholders and senior managers of NMB who were involved in the
implementation of the BRT. The secondary data were drawn from literature, government publications
and media. The results reflect that the implementation of the BRT was not easily achieved, as diverse
challenges surfaced during the implementation phase. The main challenges include: lack of intensive
planning and limited effective stakeholder and affected community engagement. The article concludes
that as much as the BRT has credited the public road transportation system innovation in South Africa
its implementation was not easy in NMB, and will be an important history for the city.
Description
Keywords
Transformation, Public road transport, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Worldwide bus rapid transit, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, Taxi industry, Bus industry
Citation
Siyongwana, P. Q., & Binza, M. S. (2012). Challenges facing the transformation of the public transport system in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa: history in the making. Journal for Contemporary History, 37(1), 191-202.