Prepared by: The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (Africa)
The State of Transport Opinion Poll is a new survey of 1,000 adults aged 18 years and over across South Africa launched in October 2012. The sample is representative of South Africa’s population distribution and demographic characteristics. Interviews are conducted by telephone by Consulta Research using trained interviewers. The 2012 survey was conducted between October and November 2012. Current issues over the survey period included e-tolling, slow economic growth rate, the ANC leadership debate and service delivery protests.
Transport as a national priority
Rate the priority of these issues [from list of 11, in random order] in South Africa today?
· In the 2012 survey, education was identified as the highest priority issue in South Africa today: education was nominated by 46% of South Africans as one of the three highest priority issues. Health and transport were the other two main areas of importance.
· The 2012 survey ranked infrastructure (including transport) as a lower priority area.
· The survey indicated that transport is the third highest overall priority in society today and the second highest priority in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
· Based on the number of positive and negative rankings, a mood calculator showed that Eastern Cape is the most positive province and Mpumalanga the least.
· When measured by town size, education was the highest national priority across all categories.
· Rural and small city inhabitants indicated that transport was their second highest priority, pointing to the need for a focus on transport in these areas.
What do you think is the highest priority issue for transport in South Africa today?
· This issue was tested through an open-ended question. Results reflect the highest number of mentions.
· In 2012 the top three transport issues identified by the survey are public transport, the high accident rate and the cost of fuel.
· “Public transport” above refers to general mentions of the term “Public transport”. Specific mentions of trains, busses, transport in rural areas and government attitude to public transport were excluded. These are amalgamated in the table below.
· “Quality of roads” above refers to general mentions of the term “Quality of roads”. Specific mentions of potholes were excluded. These are amalgamated in the table below.
· “Taxi’s” above refers to general mentions of the term “Taxi’s” or “Taxi services”. Specific mentions of quality of taxi equipment and complaints about taxi associations were excluded. These are amalgamated in the table below.
· The more inclusive survey results indicate that public transport was by far the highest priority issue in transport in South Africa today. Almost 25% of South Africans highlighted this as an issue.
· Quality of roads and taxi’s become the second and third highest priority issues respectively.
· “Transport delays” and “More transport needed” also indicate shortcomings in transport service provision.
· “Irresponsible drivers”, including unlicensed drivers, were also an issue to South Africans.
Future state of national transport
Do you believe that 1 year / 5 years from now, the state and condition of transport in general in South Africa will be much worse, or much better than it is now?
· When questioned on the future of national transport, South Africans indicated a relatively positive outlook for the short term with 43% believing that South African transport will improve in the next year.
· South African are a lot more positive about the medium term future, with 57% believing that South African transport will improve in the next 5 years.
· As per the outlook on local transport, Mpumalanga is also the most optimistic about the short term future for national transport, while Northern Cape is also the least.
· Over the medium term, Limpopo is the most optimistic about the future of national transport and the Western Cape the least.
Responsibilities for transport
Which of the following government entities do you think is most responsible for transport?
· South Africans believe that local and national government are most responsible for the provision of transport, with provincial governments only playing a small role.
To what extent do you believe the private sector should be involved in the provision of public transport?
· The majority of South Africans clearly indicate that the private sector should be far more involved in the provision of public transport.
Do you think toll roads are a good way of financing new roads or making improvements to existing roads?
· South Africans generally believe that toll roads are a good way of financing new roads or making improvements to existing roads.
A link to the full report will be available shortly
About ITLS Africa:
The Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (Africa) or ITLS (Africa) was created in 2007 in response to an overwhelming need for independent, unbiased, relevant and up-to-date research in the fields of transport, logistics and supply chain management. As industry and users started to recognize that world-class transport and supply chain research is imperative in a developing economy, the researchers in the Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management at the University of Johannesburg acknowledged the need for an inclusive and comprehensive research unit and ITLS (Africa) was established. ITLS (Africa) is set up as a specific and separate research entity within the Department to provide specialist high-level research services for both the private and public sectors, focusing on the most urgent research priorities in the country.
ITLS (Africa) has partnered with the Institute for Transport and Logistics Studies at the University of Sydney, as part of a commitment to maximize the research potential of both institutes and ensure a high level of collaboration and the “best of both worlds” in terms of cutting edge research.
ITLS (Africa) has, at its core, the skills, experience and network as well as a long and sound history of providing research excellence to both the public and private sectors, in topics ranging from policy and government strategy to various customized transport solutions in all modes of transport.
In order to maximize the impact of transport and supply chain research on the South African society and economy, ITLS (Africa) has adopted a vision “to conduct world-class research in support of new and innovative knowledge creation and information dissemination for the domestic and international transport and supply chain community”.
