Lecture 9:The Urban Public Transport Problem скачать в хорошем качестве

Lecture 9:The Urban Public Transport Problem

This video looks at the Urban Public Transport Problem in cities of Sub Sahara Africa, given the rapid urbanisation experienced in recent years, in a situation of economic poverty, and the inability of public authorities to provide decent transport to their urban dwellers. Urban movement is crucial, so that people can move to their work place or to carry out other socio-economic activities. Urban sprawl, as cities grow laterally leads to further problems of urban transport SSA cities once upon a time had decent formal transport, including double decker buses. However, this system broke down and from the early 1980s public transport has been provided by semi-formal systems characterized by mini-buses, and other converted trucks. These buses are poorly regulated. There is no queuing; they have no schedule; they can change routes at will; are accused of overloading, speeding, breaking traffic rules, noise, foul language, mechanical insecurity, and polluting the air. The cost of transport is high for poor household, who suffer relatively poor services, who have little choice but to use such systems. Those who are able, opt for using the private car, an option open for only a minority of urban residents. The private car contributes to traffic congestion which in turn impacts negatively on public transport. Public transport also operates in a situation of major deficiencies in transport infrastructure including well-designed and networked roads, bus stops, but terminals and parks for motor vehicles.. The city of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is used as an example, starting with well regulated buses in 1947, but currently having mini-buses, privately owned daladalas, forming the backbone of the city public transport. These have been joined by shared taxis, motorbikes known as bodaboda, and tricycles known as bajajis. It is concluded that for the time being public authorities should focus on improving infrastructure, regulating and offering public education on decent ways of providing and consuming public transport. The actual transportation is best left to the private sector, optimizing on the current mini-buses who are getting the city moving albeit in a semi-formal way. Governments also need to encourage Non Motorised Transport when providing infrastructure, for easing movement as well as encouraging healthy habits.