On what Cape Town's taxi strike teaches about urban inequality and the role of mobility

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Mobility and public transport play pivotal roles in?shaping the social fabric of cities?by connecting communities and providing access to essential services. Cape Town, in South Africa, despite its status as a top travel destination according to?The Telegraph Travel Awards 2023, unveils the enduring impact of spatial inequalities rooted in its apartheid history. A?taxi strike in Cape Town?serves as a stark reminder of these dynamics, as mentioned in an interesting?article published in late August on The Conversation / The Conversation U.S. . The article sheds light on the deep-rooted spatial disparities that persist, dictating where people live and their access to essential resources.

This "violence of space" encompasses physical, economic, and social divisions that limit opportunities and movement within the city. The strike was called on 3 August 2023 by the South African National Taxi Council. “Minibuses were recalled from service until 9 August in response to a new traffic by-law and other ongoing issues. Privately owned minibus taxis provide an important and affordable mode of transport for poor people living in South Africa’s townships, residential areas created for people racialised as black and so-called “coloured” during apartheid”, The Conversation writes. The strike was then called off on 11th August, amid an explosion of tension and violence. What happened in Cape Town underscored the?critical role of public transport?(and the consequences of its absence), affecting vulnerable communities dependent on affordable mobility options. It highlighted how the?availability and accessibility of transportation can significantly impact residents' daily lives?and access to essential services. It’s no mystery that “Outside the Global North, as much as 80 percent of land transport is provided through informal systems”, as?noted by Benjamin de la Pe?a, Chair of the Global Network for Popular Transportation in a panel at the UITP Summit in June.

In that occasion, he “urged authorities instead to view informal providers as an asset “because they move people” and will remain important even as formal transportation systems develop because cities, particularly in the Global South, will continue to grow faster than governments’ ability to plan and adapt”. This issue also affects other economies: “a?research by the ITDP showed that Black, Brown and low-income Brazilians pay higher fares, use more overcrowded buses and trains, and have fewer transport options available to help them reach essential destinations”,?writes Greenpeace / Greenpeace . Returning to The Conversation's article, it becomes clear that?this story challenges our perceptions of what makes a "best" city. It urges us to recognize that the enjoyment of cultural spaces often relies on the labor of individuals commuting from marginalized areas, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mobility, urban planning, and social justice. In conclusion, the lessons from Cape Town's taxi strike emphasize the urgency of addressing spatial inequalities through comprehensive urban planning,?equitable mobility solutions, and affordable housing. Mobility is not just about getting from point A to B; it's about forging more inclusive and just cities for all.

?? Things we enjoyed reading

• MaaS: Google activities as a wake-up call for the industry. Google is pushing ahead with the integration of Google Maps and mobility providers. Meanwhile, 500 cities with 72 operators are "live" Massive investments are still being made in the app to make it a "super app"... Keep reading on IT-TRANS website / IT-TRANS - Intelligent Urban Transport Systems
• Demand for oil, gas and coal will peak by 2030. Demand for fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal will hit an all-time high before 2030, according to Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) .?That’s notable progress for the global fight against climate change Keep reading on CNBC / CNBC
• ITS welcomes UK gov MaaS code as 'very real progress'. The UK Department for Transport (DfT)'s new Code of Practice for Mobility as a Service (MaaS) has been welcomed by the ITS sector. Max Sugarman , chief executive of ITS (UK), called it "positive"... Keep reading on ITS International
• Air taxis will soon be flying over major US cities Air taxis could begin flying between airports and downtown areas as soon as 2025, according to the leading developers of eVTOLs. These electrically powered aircraft... Keep reading on Smart Cities Dive / Smart Cities Dive

?? Time for a quote

When an industry deploys powerful new technology, safety has to be the top priority. And unfortunately during this past year we've had too many reports that have called into question whether this technology is safe

David Chiu , San Francisco City Attorney, on?Newsweek

?? What about a chart?

Source:?TfL 2022/23 Annual Advertising Report / Transport for London