Johannesburg transport crisis raises concerns over city’s future

Johannesburg is often described as South Africa’s economic engine. It is home to millions of residents, thousands of businesses and serves as a gateway to opportunity for people from across the country and the African continent.

Despite its status as one of Africa’s leading commercial hubs, Johannesburg still struggles with one of the most fundamental requirements of a successful city: a reliable, safe, affordable, and efficient public transport system.

The reality facing commuters every day tells a troubling story.

ALSO READ: GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF ROADS AND TRANSPORT

Residents wake up before dawn to catch overcrowded taxis, unreliable buses and trains that often fail to arrive on time, or at all. Many workers spend hours travelling to and from work, sacrificing valuable time with their families and reducing their productivity.

Students also struggle to access educational opportunities because transport routes are limited or unaffordable.

According to ActionSA MMC candidate for Transport and PR councillor Lebo Mokoka, the city’s transport challenges require greater political attention and investment.

“This situation is neither accidental nor unavoidable. It is the direct result of years of inadequate planning, poor investment decisions, and a lack of political vision regarding the central role transport plays in urban development,” said Mokoka.

ALSO READ: Fatal scholar transport crash sparks community action in Pimville

She explained that around the world, cities that have achieved sustained economic growth have done so through significant investment in integrated public transport systems. Johannesburg has failed to adopt this mindset.

Mokoka said the City’s transport budget has not matched the scale of the challenges confronting residents for years. Infrastructure maintenance has lagged behind demand, roads continue to deteriorate and traffic congestion worsens annually.

She said public transport systems remain fragmented, forcing commuters to navigate multiple modes of transport with little coordination.

Traffic congestion alone places a significant burden on Johannesburg’s economy through lost productivity. Workers arrive late, businesses lose valuable time and logistics costs continue to rise.

Companies looking to invest increasingly consider mobility and infrastructure when deciding where to establish their operations.

Mokoka said transport should be viewed as more than simply a way of moving people around the city.

“Transport is not merely about moving people from one point to another. It is an economic enabler. It is a social equaliser. It is a tool for reducing inequality,” she said.

In a city as spatially divided as Johannesburg, transport is one of the most powerful mechanisms for connecting residents to jobs, healthcare, education and economic opportunities.

“When transport systems fail, it is the poorest residents who suffer the most,” said Mokoka.

She said Johannesburg’s future growth also depends on reducing its dependence on private vehicles. The City’s road network cannot continue to absorb increasing numbers of cars indefinitely.

She stated that the solution is not simply to build more roads. The City must provide attractive alternatives to private vehicle use.

ALSO READ: Scholar transport collision in Protea Glen highlights learner safety risks

Mokoka said, however, that none of these improvements can happen without political leadership and a clear strategic vision.

“The persistent underfunding of Johannesburg’s Transport Department raises serious questions about the priorities of the current administration. While transport affects virtually every aspect of daily life and economic activity, it continues to be treated as a secondary concern rather than a strategic priority,” she said.

She added that a world-class city cannot emerge without a world-class transport system.

She highlighted that investment in transport should not be viewed as an expense, but as a long-term investment in economic growth, job creation and social inclusion, and that Johannesburg deserves better.
“Its residents deserve a transport system that respects their time, protects their safety and expands their opportunities,” she said.

She further stated that the path forward requires courage, investment, innovation and leadership.
Until Johannesburg embraces that reality, its transport crisis will continue to reflect a deeper crisis: a failure of vision.