Highlights We examine service patterns and fare levels of informal minibus and pickup truck operators in rural South Africa. Poisson regression models and qualitative interviews are used. Empirical evidence shows that poor roads depress public transport frequencies and raise fares. Rural operators spontaneously develop a service hierarchy in which pickup trucks fill some service gaps left by minibus operators on poor roads.
Abstract Informal paratransit operators using a range of vehicle types (including pickup trucks, small buses, and motorcycles) are a major provider of mobility in rural areas of the developing world. The paper describes a mixed method approach used to examine such operators’ decisions about vehicle deployment, route frequency, network organisation, and pricing in three rural districts in South Africa. New evidence is presented showing that the condition of rural roads (both paved and unpaved) affects the quantity and quality of public transport services provided, as well as the fares charged to passengers. This strengthens the case for judicious infrastructure investment as a way of improving rural access and livelihoods, and suggests how this might happen by way of leveraging better private sector responses. We also describe the emergence of a differentiated service hierarchy involving a variety of vehicle types suited to different operating conditions, and based on intentional coordination among operators of minibus and pickup truck (‘bakkie’) services. We argue that governments should promote such coordination and innovation in rural transport markets.
Supply and pricing strategies of informal rural transport providers
Journal of Transport Geography ; 41 ; 239-248
2014-01-01
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Supply and pricing strategies of informal rural transport providers
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