As South Africans celebrate Transport Month in October, we should broaden our focus beyond infrastructure and modernisation to the more nuanced and pressing issue of universal access to transport. This annual observance is a time to reflect on how transport systems impact everyone, especially those who are marginalised by their physical or financial limitations. While President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the need for universal access to transport, significant challenges remain, especially for the most vulnerable commuters.
Karen Visser, Transport Economics and Logistics Management programme leader at the North-West University (NWU), warns that despite government recognition of the issue, universal access to transport is far from being a priority for many South Africans. "In a country still grappling with the legacy of apartheid-era infrastructure decisions, we see that 82% of commuters in Gauteng rely on taxis for their daily transport needs," says Visser. "For those without physical or financial challenges, transport-related issues are often just an inconvenience. However, for a large proportion of the population, they are an unavoidable reality.”
Visser highlights the plight of "captive users" – commuters who have no choice but to use public transport such as taxis due to a lack of alternatives. This includes people with disabilities, who make up approximately 2% of taxi passengers but are often neglected by the system. "No special provision is made for disabled passengers," she says. "Each additional piece of equipment that could assist a disabled passenger takes up space that could be used by another fare-paying passenger. This means less income for the taxi driver, whose income depends on keeping the vehicle full and moving at all times."
The profit-driven structure of South Africa's taxi industry, according to Visser, creates little incentive to accommodate passengers with disabilities or other special needs. “Any delay at a stop to assist a disabled passenger means lost income, and for drivers every minute counts,” she adds. This system disproportionately affects the very people who need it most, creating a cycle of exclusion that undermines the idea of universal access.
But the issue of accessibility extends beyond lower-income groups or public transport systems. Visser offers the example of airline safety procedures to illustrate the broader scope of the problem. "Imagine you are sitting in an airplane during a pre-flight safety demonstration. You see the cabin crew gesturing, but without clear narration or accessibility tools, how is someone with a hearing or visual impairment supposed to understand where the flotation device is located?" she asks. "In an emergency, the lack of accessible safety information could be life-threatening."
Visser's commentary aligns with the broader aims of Transport Month, a time set aside to reflect on and address South Africa's transport challenges. While the country often focuses on issues such as road maintenance, traffic congestion, and the rollout of high-tech infrastructure, Visser urges both policymakers and the public to think more inclusively. "We need to stop viewing transport accessibility as a niche issue. It affects everyone, from the disabled person waiting for an accessible taxi to the frequent flyer who may be unaware of safety procedures due to poor communication," she says.
The conversation around universal access to transport needs to be broadened to ensure that inclusivity becomes a cornerstone of transport policy. "Acknowledging universal access could make a huge difference in improving the travel experience for all South Africans," concludes Visser. "As we observe Transport Month, it's time we start prioritising not just mobility, but equal mobility for all."
