Needs Assessment

The Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats (SWOT) of the municipal transport system were conducted to illustrate the issues / challenges and opportunity for various elements in the system. The opportunities identified help inform the prioritisation of potential future transport projects.

The SWOT analysis was done for:

  • Public Transport

  • Public Transport Infrastructure

  • Non-motorised Transport

  • Private Transport, and

  • Road Network

The results of the SWOT analysis are summarised in Table 10. The main transport issues identified include the following:

  • A lack of internal integration with parallel processes such as the Integrated Development Plan, Local Economic Development plan, Spatial Development Framework etc

  • Inadequate budget for public transport infrastructure and facilities, road maintenance

  • Limited capacity at a local municipal level to fulfil municipal transport planning function.

  • Time constraint for implementation of proposed / planned projects.

There are also a number of transport challenges which are common to the wider district municipality, such as road safety, road freight and public transport infrastructure provision.

Some of the key issues identified during the process is the affordability of public transport services, the lack of formal public transport facilities and safety and security with respect to learner transport.

Table 10: SWOT analysis of Transport Needs

Public Transport

Strength

Weakness

Existing minibus-taxi transport within the towns and between neighbouring towns

Limited services during off-peak periods, not universally accessible

Available capacity of service due to Covid-19

Commuter affordability and service reliability

 

Lack and continued drop in rail services

Opportunity

Threat

Create universally accessible facilities

Commuters limited purchase power, affordability of public transport

Future developments will require PT services

Continued Covid-19 impact on service demand

Public Transport Infrastructure

Strength

Weakness

Rail infrastructure not currently being utilised for passenger movement

There is a lack of proper PT infrastructure such as formal ranks and associated facilities

 

Existing formal facilities poor condition

Opportunity

Threat

Revitalisation of existing formal facilities

Capital infrastructure funding

Provision and improvement of rail passenger service

Infrastructure Implementation capacity

Non-Motorised Transport

Strength

Weakness

Existing NMT infrastructure in urban areas in fair condition

NMT infrastructure is not continuous, and distance between neighbouring towns too great

Large component of population will use NMT infrastructure

Safety and security

Opportunity

Threat

Delineation of NMT space on existing road network

Crime

Provision of NMT infrastructure and end of trip facilities

 

NMT Education such as safety

 

Private Transport

Strength

Weakness

Less private car movement due to Covid-19

High congestion levels around Ballito during peak periods

Spare capacity on majority of road network

safety and security

Opportunity

Threat

Shift from private to PT transport

Continued congestion

Additional infrastructure planned

 

Road Network

Strength

Weakness

Existing paved road network is in fair condition

Majority of traffic is located on main arterials

 

Safety concerns for pedestrian and scholars where schools are located close to high order roads

Opportunity

Threat

New roads are not required in short term due to impact of Covid-19

Deterioration of road network

Shift in mode of transport to reduce need for private travel

 

One of the key aspects of the LITP is the integration with other departments and especially feedback into the development planning process. This is also seen as an opportunity to ensure projects and proposals contained in the LITP also support initiatives from the development planning sector.

The aim of the LITP is to support projects and proposals that will encourage the shift in transport mode from private vehicles to PT vehicles. Although the next few sections address the future demand estimation and also highlight possible projects is should be noted that as part of the need assessment the provision of PT infrastructure as part of any future development should be supported.

Further detail with regard to PT infrastructure provision as part of future developments that will encourage the shift to PT in favour of private transport is discussed later in Section 7 of the report. The provision of PT infrastructure is aimed at the following:

  • Provision of PT facilities as part of commercial, residential and industrial development is proposed to reduce the need for private transport to and from these development

  • Assist developments with possible reduction in parking provision as contained in the planning process

  • Private vehicle trip reduction as mentioned above will also reduce the immediate need for road network upgrade at huge capital expenditure for the municipality and the developer