This document discusses Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in South Africa and identifies key challenges and research needs. It notes that BRT systems face questions around value for money due to high costs and over-optimistic forecasts. There is also a shortage of trained transport planners and operators. The South African government is reviewing BRT planning and operations and identifying research needs around improving demand models, economic appraisals, and first/last mile connectivity. Training programs across different levels are needed to ensure BRT sustainability and the success of future systems in addressing Africa's transport needs.

1. #mobilizedar

2. Quo Vadis BRT in South
Africa?
Research & Training Needs

3. BRT Implementation
Background
HIGH BRT
CAPEX
AND OPEX
VALUE
FOR
MONEY?
Adoption of
Latin American
BRT Designs
to achieve
“Gold” Status
Large,
Competing
Informal Mini-
Bus Taxi
Industry &
High
Incorporation
Costs
High Peak
Period to
Inter-Peak
Passenger
Demand RatioHigh Cost
Technology &
Systems EFC;
Control Centres;
Stations
No Detailed
Economic
Appraisals
were
Conducted.
Over-
Optimistic
Ridership &
Revenue
Forecasts
Rapid Car Ownership Growth 230 cars/1000 pop) 2010 Soccer World Cup Pressure
Rapid Urbanisation Political Pressure
Freeway Tolling in Gauteng

4. Operations Data Rea Vaya &
MyCitiTypical Daily Demand Profiles
Rea Vaya
MyCiti

5. National Government response to value for money concerns:
• Establishment of Cities Support Program in National Treasury;
• Review of CAPEX and OPEX 3-year cycle Integrated Public Transport Networks (ITPN)
planning & budgeting process;
• Parliamentary Transport Committee audit of planning & implementation in 13 cities in early
2018:Recommended Action No. Systems Systems
Expansion with Conditions 2 Johannesburg (Rea Vaya) & Cape Town
(MyCiti)
Urgently Expand Operations 3 Pretoria (A Re Yeng), Ekurhuleni
(Harambee) and George (Go George!
QBS System)
Urgently Start Operations 2 Durban and Rustenburg
Potential Mothballing unless
Rapid Progress Made
6 Bloemfontein; Port Elizabeth; Nelspruit;
Polokwane; Pietermaritzburg; East London

6. Research Needs in South African & African Context
National RSA government admit naivety in the planning process;
But are asking what should be done differently to ensure system sustainability,
i.e.:
o Improve the reliability of transportation demand models;
o Investigate improved trip data collection methods, especially smartphone based technologies;
o Investigate & understand passengers travel preferences & impacts on system designs &
operations;
o Reduce CAPEX of systems by looking at alternative designs and operating models & methods;
o Improve the economic appraisal process (including wider economic benefits) to motivate funding
o Evaluate options for first and last mile accessibility to BRT stations, including hybrid-operations;
o Investigate how to make systems accessible and attractive across income groups;
o Better integrate all transit systems in cities;

7. ransport Training Needs in South African & African Context
atus Quo:
Demand for trained and experienced transport planners, economists and operations
managers is far in excess of supply for government, advisors & operators;
Over-reliance on consultants by government transport planning and operating officials;
Some initiatives have been taken, e.g. City of Johannesburg arrangement with local busine
school for Certificate in Public Transport Governance and Operations;
Consultant appointments include training & skills enhancement requirement, but seldom
effective;
Training must be focussed on African needs & requirements, i.e. not ‘one size fits all’.
Government at all
Levels & Across
Departments
Transport Planning
Professionals
Public Transport
Operators
ining needs vary between:

8. Training Spectrum:
Level of
Expertise
Required on
Completion
Of Training
Intensity &
Duration of
Training
Short Courses
Informal in Nature
& Cross-Sector.
Limited Training &
Experience Needed
Block Courses
Specific in Subject
Formal Training &
Experience Needed
Formal Graduate & Post
Graduate. Subject Specific
Courses. Recognised
qualifications Needed
Area of Focus for Universities

9. Summing Up
BRT systems in South Africa are at a critical juncture, with value for money being
questioned;
Risk is that if sustainability is not demonstrated, new systems will not be rolled out or
expanded;
An overall weakness in government and private sector transport planning is a shortage of
professionally trained staff;
In the South African context, this is resulting in inadequate planning & operations of BRT
systems;
Training and skills improvement programs are key to ensuring the future success of the
systems.