Using apps and telematics to manage supply and demand would reduce overcrowding and ensure hygiene
Taxis wait for passengers at the Germiston taxi rank in Johannesburg, Gauteng. Picture: MASI LOSI
In a post-Covid-19 world, the country’s survival depends on exactly the opposite of that: we need our public transport systems to have the capacity to allow for social distancing on-board, in addition to adhering to stringent sanitation, disinfection and cleaning requirements. Social distancing is likely to be mandatory on all modes of public transport, which means capacity across all of these will need to increase, implying government investment in more trains, buses and taxis.
Cities across the world are planning or taking measures to ensure that 1.5m distancing guidelines are met so people can move around in a comfortable and safe way. The key to achieving this in limited public space — like in SA’s taxi ranks and train stationslies in the ability to have an ongoing and real-time view of how busy hotspots are so appropriate steps can be taken when an area gets too crowded.
It’s not new to South Africans — it’s the same principle that is used in ride-hailing applications such asBolt, which allows drivers to work when it suits them, and gives passengers the ability to book their ride at a time that suits them, confident thatare being observed. The only difference is that such an application should be multi-modal — rather than just focusing on car transport, it would integrate all modes of transport to provide a seamless user experience.
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