The Effects of Social Exclusion and Transport in South Africa

This paper presents the finding of the qualitative survey commissioned by the Department of Transport to understand the effect of poor transport on the lives of the socially marginalised. To a great extent there is not enough knowledge about how and why people are excluded. The aim of this research is to identify the transport and accessibility concerns of people living on low incomes and at the margins of economic participation. It would consider the perspectives and circumstances of people living in different geographical/spatial contexts (i.e. inner city, urban, urban periphery, semi-rural and deep rural) and in different life stages (e.g. young people, job seekers, low-paid workers, lone parents, older people, etc.). Moreover an analysis follows on the types of problems they experience, e.g. lack of available transport, access onto the transport system, the cost of travel, lack of information, low travel horizons, the inappropriate location of activity opportunities such as employment, healthcare services, and schools relative to their homes. It highlights such outcomes in terms of their physical and mental well-being, and economic and social activities.