[sustran] Fundamental Restructuring of Public Transport in South Africa

[Ian Emslie]

In line with the current political and social changes occurring in our
country, the restructuring of SA cities is being promoted to address
imbalances of past urban settlement patterns. A key component of this
restructuring process is the enhancement of the urban public transport
systems. With limited budgets, poor existing services and often poor
perceptions regarding public transport, quality research is required
to inform planning efforts.

A 'hub and spoke' concept of public transport, combined with
supporting major movement corridors, is gaining acceptance as the most
viable network approach for South Africa. There are numerous
restructuring issues that will need to be addressed. One of these key
issues is the role of public transport interchanges. We at the CSIR
are investigating the role that public transport interchanges play in
the public transport system and how to enhance this role, to provide a
safer, more efficient and attractive environment for public transport
users.

An important focus of our research is the need to benchmark against
some world cities. We have identified the following cities as relevant
to our study, but do not want to limit the bench-marking exercise to
these cities;
    Curitiba - Brazil
  Gothenberg - Sweden
  Toronto - Canada
  Newcastle - UK
  Singapore 

As part of our study, we are investigating the classification of
public transport interchanges w.r.t. actual/potential passenger
volumes, and the availability/requirements of facilities by
interchange class. We are also investigating the actual/ideal
distribution of interchanges within a metropolitan area according to
population size, and the commuter volumes required to establish a
viable transfer station.

We are presently searching for information regarding the following
points, particularly with respect to the cities identified (although
once again, we do not necessarily want to limit our study to these
cities, and information from other cities would be greatly
appreciated). 

General Urban Statistics -
  urban population, city form, coverage of public transport system,
  patronage statistics, mode types, number of stations/
  interchanges, route length statistics.
  System Statistics -
                      (all modes: commuter rail, metro, bus,LRT etc.) 
  Major/minor station/interchange spacing and density, route 
  lengths
  Average speed of systems,
  Operational management and maintenance structures/ 
  processes at interchanges,
  Process/system for determining need and location of 
  interchange,
Ridership Statistics and journey patterns -
  Average travel times, distances and costs, 
  Average number of interchanges per commuter trip,
Interchange information -
  Classification of interchanges by volumes/usage,
  Facilities available/required according to size/classification of 
  interchange,
  Threshold volumes for large facilities
Maps of systems, identifying main interchanges/minor stations 
   etc  (bus, rail, metro)
Financial Aspects - 
  income profile of users vs total urban population, profitability of
  public transport system, operating and capital requirements,
  operating costs vs revenue generated

It would be greatly appreciated if you could help us either with
obtaining any of the above information, or if you can't help us
directly but know of relevant contacts, place us in contact with these
people (please could you forward this message on to them or provide us
with their contact details).

Thanks for your patients in reading this message, and we look forward
to hearing from you if you can help us.

Regards

  Ian Emslie  
Transportation Planners
Transportek, CSIR
PO Box 320
Stellenbosch
7599
South Africa
email - iemslie at csir.co.za
  Telephone  +27 21 888 2611
Fax   +27 21 888 2694