INDUSTRY OBSERVATION

2009: How different from 2008?

2008 started off with the load shedding fiasco. Shortly before year end, we found ourselves at our offices literally without water on many days. 

The deductions we made are as follows:

• One minute we were budgeting for a generator and the next minute we were considering investing in port-a-loos! 

• Our 2009 forecast is that it just has to be a better year. Think about it. We have both water and electricity, so we are already better off. 

• We also think it is wise to have a sense of humour. It is, perhaps, the best way to prepare oneself for the next eventuality in South Africa - whatever that may be. 

Right now we wish to comment on some of the current deliberations and debates – especially in the pages of FleetWatch where  good debates always reign – taking place in the South African transport environment. 

I would like you, the reader, to take a moment to think about the following three scenarios: 

While driving in my car recently, I accidently drove over a “serious” pot-hole in the road. We all drive over potholes all the time but this particular one “got me.” The message here is loud and clear: South Africa’s roads are visibly deteriorating. 

In a separate incident in Empire road, Johannesburg, I witnessed a taxi crossing an intersection. We, that is, the following traffic, anticipated that the driver would stop to the left hand side of road to offload passengers while effectively blocking the road to other road users - conventional behaviour in this part of the world. 

Well, we were only slightly wrong! The taxi, which was full of passengers, did indeed stop but not on the left hand side of the road. Rather, he came to a halt right in the middle of the intersection and, as expected, blocked traffic travelling in all directions. The taxi, however, did not stop to offload passengers but to allow the driver to get out of the vehicle and run all of 40 metres up the road to have a conversation with another person. Needless to say, none of the other road users at the blocked intersection were amused. As for the traffic police? Well where are they anywhere these days? 

We are in the transport sector but for whatever reason, and correct us if we are misinformed, but there has been precious little information about the plans, construction activities and future of the roads being changed for the BRT (bus rapid transit system). 

Below is the essence of our New Year’s message:

• If we are to prevent a discipline meltdown (i.e. the taxi example), somebody very quickly has to take control of all ill disciplined drivers whether they are driving taxis, trucks, buses or cars. 

• I forecast that the now well-known coach company that featured in the December headlines for all the wrong reasons will have another big accident with fatalities. That is a certainty if they continue to operate without proper and comprehensive operational checks and balances being put in place. 

• Allied to this, when are we going to have consignor and public officer culpability for the transport sector? The longer this is left undone the longer the ethical companies are penalised for compliance while the miscreants get away with sub-standard and dangerous behaviour. 

• The BRT might be a great plan. Please, please can the project leaders tell the public what is going on? Or are there some shocks, “bad news” problems which the motoring public is not to be told until it becomes a fait accompli? 

• Bus and taxi passengers seem either unable or are simply too submissive to voice their displeasure at poor and dangerous service provided by the coach and taxi operators (and the drivers). I must ask: Why are these passengers so apathetic when they are “victims?” 

SOLUTIONS

• Passenger empowerment training or consumer activism through a sustained campaign. 

• Culpability of the consignor and company officers. 

• A ban on night driving for commercial vehicles and buses? It seems a crazy idea but at what price do we continue the accident statistics? 

• Any politician out there pledging what they are going to do to rectify the transport sector problems in their electioneering? With so many fairly easy and therefore effective changes, I would have thought this would be an easy “election” promise to deliver on. But there’s the rub all these tasks have to be delivered on.