Purpose Sub-Saharan African cities suffer from poor quality transport options, excessive congestion and pollution. The informal transport sector contributes to these problems, but also represents part of the solution. This chapter reflects upon research undertaken to better understand the nature of these services, in the hope of providing insights into possible remediation. Design/methodology/approach Three case cities were studied: Cape Town; Dar es Salaam; and Nairobi. Each was examined by resident universities with respect to the quantity and quality of paratransit services provided, user satisfaction, business models and industry governance. Findings Each city has differences, but there are recurring themes. All are experiencing population growth and increased motorization, which steadily deteriorates operating environments. Law enforcement capability is limited and sometimes impeded by corruption. Operating enterprises tend to be fragmented. Financial resources are typically limited such that vehicle maintenance and replacement suffers. The safety and quality of service for passengers are therefore often poor. The prevalence of paratransit services is, however, such that any strategy to reform public transport systems needs to consider a role for them within a scheduled-paratransit hybrid network. Numerous challenges will need to be overcome for successful integration, but significant improvements to service quality can be made in the near- to medium-term through supporting interventions in business development, operating environment, vehicle fleets and operations. Research limitations/implications Extension of the research programme could yield some significant improvements to operations and financial sustainability, through the piloting of innovative, lower cost technologies based on smartphone and other ICT technologies. Originality/value The chapter reveals that significant improvements to service quality can be made in the near- to medium-term through supporting interventions in business development, operating environment, vehicle fleets and operations.


    Access

    Download

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Chapter 11 Paratransit in Sub-Saharan African Cities: Improving and Integrating Informal Services


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2016


    Remarks:

    Campusweiter Zugriff (Universität Hannover) - Vervielfältigungen (z.B. Kopien, Downloads) sind nur von einzelnen Kapiteln oder Seiten und nur zum eigenen wissenschaftlichen Gebrauch erlaubt. Keine Weitergabe an Dritte. Kein systematisches Downloaden durch Robots.




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    DDC:    388.4



    Paratransit in African cities: operations, regulation, and reform

    Welle, Benjamin | Taylor & Francis Verlag | 2019


    Integrating transit, paratransit and ridesharing services via IVHS/FOCCS technologies

    Woodworth,P. / Behnke,R.W. / Transit District of Oregon,Tri-Country Metropolitan,US et al. | Automotive engineering | 1991




    Toward the Integration of Paratransit in Transportation Planning in African Cities

    Boutueil, Virginie / Lesteven, Gaele / Nemett, Luc | Transportation Research Record | 2020