Abstract
Public transport plays a critical role in South Africa, especially in addressing urban mobility challenges shaped by the country’s spatial structure. South African cities are characterised by a spatial pattern in which townships are located on the urban periphery, far from economic centres. This setup contributes to the marginalisation of peripheral communities while simultaneously underscoring the essential role of public transport in reducing poverty by improving access to jobs, services, and social opportunities. Recognising the need to make public transport more efficient, affordable, and inclusive, the country has increasingly turned to the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems as part of its post-apartheid spatial transformation agenda. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate how the BRT system can benefit or can be used to promote/improve access to public transport in South Africa urban areas. The focus will be on the City of Tshwane A Re Yeng BRT system established in 2014.
BRT systems, such as A Re Yeng in the City of Tshwane, are promoted as a potential solution to enhance urban mobility and spatial integration. This paper provides an early assessment of the impact of the A Re Yeng BRT system on public transport in Tshwane, based on preliminary data and user feedback.
Qualitative research methods informed the research, drawing from three types of primary and secondary data: qualitative interviews, documentation review and participant observation. The findings indicate that the primary advantages of the BRT system lie in its affordability, enhanced safety, and high service frequency. These attributes align with the literature on sustainable and cost-effective transport and directly address commuter priorities such as time and cost savings. The affordability of A Re Yeng, coupled with its reliability and improved safety, has emerged as one of the key factors driving positive user perceptions.
Commuter satisfaction with A Re Yeng reflects a positive shift in perceptions of public transport quality and suggests growing confidence in formal transit systems. This trend supports academic discussions on socio-spatial integration and urban mobility improvement, demonstrating the system’s potential to bridge the gap between central and peripheral areas.
Although it is too early to draw definitive conclusions particularly as the A Re Yeng system does not yet reach all areas within the City of Tshwane the initial findings indicate that the BRT has achieved many of
iv
its performance goals. The study contributes to scholarly debates on spatial inequality and peripheralisation, showing that well-designed public transport systems can advance inclusive urban development, promote sustainable mobility, and support South Africa’s broader goals of spatial justice and equitable urban growth.