Abstract
There is generally interconnectedness among the complex urban challenges that are being experienced
in most developing countries. Of particular note are the spatial fragmentation and inefficient and
ineffective transport systems that characterize South African cities. In response, innovative urban public
transport systems that seek to improve mobility and encourage mixed land use development have
emerged. The innovations also seek to resolve the three apartheid vices that are unemployment, poverty
and inequality thus enhancing economic growth and development within South African cities. This
paper therefore examined the role of innovations in urban public transport systems to the creation and
improvement of business operations and employment opportunities within the City of Tshwane. Both
qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted and applied to gather from key
informants and users of the transport services using interviews and questionnaires. Study findings
revealed that the innovations have resulted in some commendable developments within the city of
Tshwane however, the poor and previously disadvantaged citizens are yet to benefit meaningfully. The
economic transformation agenda still needs to deliberately facilitate the inclusion of the poor in line
with the massive transport infrastructure investments that have been made. Accordingly, the study
recommends an integrated approach to economic transformation and innovative urban transport system.
Human capacity development anchored through investment in education, skills development and human
rehabilitation for self-help projects and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) is highly
recommended. Major investment opportunities should prioritize the urban poor instead of mainly
improving the lives of that are already part of the formal economy. As a result, the study concludes by
developing a model on Integrated Approach to innovative urban transport planning and economic
transformation.