The verdict is in: Cape Town has the best transportation system in South Africa.
While plenty of Capetonians may be rolling their eyes at the idea of this, Christo Venter, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering/Centre for Transport Development the University of Pretoria has confirmed the news.
Venter took the time to conduct thorough research on South Africa, and Africa’s, transportation systems and came to the conclusion that African cities urgently need to be transformed as populations increase and low infrastructure bases hinder many cities.
“Transportation planning is evolving from being highway oriented to embracing the full range of urban mobility problems in their political, social and economic context,” he indicated.
It’s the extensive rollout plan of Cape Town’s MyCiti that is listed as one of the reasons the transport infrastructure within the city is classified as the best. However, while aspects of our city’s transport system deserve a pat on the back, Venter states that one cannot overlook the obvious challenges that the system faces, including equity imbalances and lack of public transport within rural areas, reports IOL.
There’s no question that the infrastructure of national roads has improved, a point that is emphasised by SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) provincial chairperson Bongikhaya Qhama. But Qhama states that while the province may not have the worst, there is certainly room for improvement.
Despite an improvement when it comes to the province’s national roads, inner-city roads have taken a hit, especially roads located in rural or urban townships.
“This has made it difficult for poor people to gain access to basic services and access to resources for improvement,” Qhama said.
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc Gallery