Public Transport: A Key Challenge for Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Although many African cities continue to suffer from inadequate and unsafe informal transportation services, progress is being made in some areas to develop a more cohesive and better-regulated public transportation system. This article discusses the current challenges faced in meeting the transportation needs in developing countries, and suggests an approach that could reduce the mismatch between transportation supply and demand. Since many cities in developing countries are expanding rapidly, transportation infrastructure should be integrated at this early stage of urban development to limit sprawl and promote density. It is essential to have urban mobility plans in place that take all user categories, especially pedestrians, into account. Hierarchically structured combinations of transportation modes should be developed. At the institutional level, strong organizing authorities can help regulate the sector while still allowing operators some entrepreneurial freedom.