Abstract
Globally, cities are facing challenges because public transport and road infrastructure are unable to meet commuters' needs. This is more prevalent, particularly in the Global South, characterised by rapid urbanisation. In this regard, this study investigated the effect of traffic congestion on the lived experiences of commuters in the context of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM). To this end, the study used a mixed methods approach to collect data, which includes qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The quantitative primary data was collected through survey questionnaires from road users in the city and interviews with different CTMM officials dealing with transport planning, management, spatial and city planning, and traffic management.
In contrast, secondary data was collected through documents including work from other researchers and other available literature. The CTMM has embraced the notion of an integrated transport system through the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) strategy. Based on the qualitative and quantitative findings, the study concluded that the lived experiences of commuters still need to improve as they remain negatively affected by traffic conditions that lead to traffic congestion.
The study also found that one of the consequences of the prevalence of high road traffic congestion is that it negatively affects the lived experiences of commuters and their quality of life. This sharply contrasts with cities in developed and transitional countries, which have better institutional frameworks to implement policies to address challenges related to traffic congestion and public transport integration. The study posits that even though most cities in developing countries have introduced the BRT system intending to improve public transport access and integration, by and large, the BRT system needs to achieve the envisaged goal.
Consequently, this has adverse effects on the lived experiences of commuters. It is also evident that many commuters in developing and local cities still need to be spatially disenfranchised and forced to travel longer hours; therefore, they spend most of their disposable income on traveling costs. Therefore, this study concludes that cities in developing countries must rethink their strategies to address spatial
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inequalities. This is more prominent in developing countries because overpopulation is making it difficult for cities to effectively implement land use policies with the current inappropriate institutional framework, competing financial commitments, and political instabilities. Significantly, this study recommends that cities in developing economies must design and implement more effective land use policies promoting Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Such strategies have proven helpful in countries such as North America and Tokyo. The goal is to ensure that people live close to public transit facilities and their work area, school, and other social and economic opportunities and improve their experiences.