Provincial Public Transport Governance Systems and Urban Spatial Transformation Nexus in South Africa: Experiences and Lessons Learnt

The 1994 democratic dispensation in South Africa ushered in a renewed impetus to redress previously skewed spatial, economic, and social systems. Previously, access to and movement within urban areas had been restricted for non-white people. Consequently, efforts were made to correct these inequalities and serve the entire population. Notably, legislative and policy instruments were enacted to regulate government interventions at all levels. These included policies, strategies and plans to guide and support public transport systems development. What remains to be documented adequately is the role of the governance systems and the public experiences of the structures at territorial levels. This chapter discusses the role, influences, and outcomes of urban public transport systems in South Africa. It focuses on the achievements that have been recorded in the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces in formulating and implementing public transport policy and planning. Results reveal meaningful progress in formulating plans and strategies at these provincial levels which have significant potential for transforming urban spaces through large-scale urban public transport programme implementation. Spatial inequality remains a significant issue, with many communities still facing barriers to accessing economic opportunities and essential services. Long-standing structural and systemic barriers continue to impede the full realization of the goals set by these policies.