Based on recently published documents and available information on the selected cities’ attempts at reform and/or professionalisation of the paratransit sector, the main objective of the study was to document analytic case studies for Cape Town (South Africa), Dakar (Senegal) and Kigali (Rwanda), each one dealing with a particular aspect of reform. These insightful case studies seek to draw lessons from what worked and what did not work, recounting the background of reform initiatives that have taken place in each of these cities. The main study, “Of Informal Passenger Transport Reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa”, was viewed from a unique perspective in each of the three cities:
- Cape Town – From complete ‘formalization’ encompassing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to corporatization of informal Public Transport owner/operators;
- Dakar – The minibus renewal and professionalization process: a combined approach to modernize paratransit services;
- Kigali – Regulation of buses and minibuses: private sector participation as catalysts to reform;
While each case study is different, four key aspects are considered to be the axes of analysis: (i) regulation (including entry to the sector); (ii) socioeconomic performances; (iii) externalities; and (iv) labour force issues.
Additionally, all three cases sought to propose comparable analysis that tie in with each other. The case study approach for each city presents a “before” situation, which highlights events that led to the reform being implemented, the institutional stakeholders involved, as well as the paratransit sector stakeholders who were consulted. In the “after” situation, the outcomes of the reforms, successful or otherwise, are described to highlight the most impactful actions. Lessons drawn are presented and hierarchised to identify those that hold greatest promise for adaptation in other cities. In between the “before” and “after” situations, a review is conducted to highlight the events that characterized the transition.
The general methodology underlying SSATP's urban transport and mobility activities involves identifying successful experiences and promoting their replication. SSATP not only engages in strong advocacy and knowledge dissemination activities, but also works in close collaboration with key stakeholders to mobilize their support for implementing and taking ownership of recommended actions. With the goal of developing a holistic and integrated approach for addressing the urban mobility issues and challenges of Africa’s metropolitan areas, SSATP develops policy briefs and strategy guideline notes to boost the capacity of client countries to implement sustainable urban transport development and management programs.
Transitec is privileged to have worked on this study and looks forward to future collaborations with SSATP and other industry stakeholders for more impactful contributions. Case studies can be accessed at the following link.