View source for Transport in South Africa

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use South African English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}

[[South Africa]] has a diverse and extensive [[transport]] system that includes road, rail, air, and maritime infrastructure. The country has one of the most developed road networks in Africa.

While many residents rely on informal minibus taxis for daily commuting, formal public transport systems, such as private bus systems, [[Bus Rapid Transit]] (BRT) routes, [[e-hailing]] license systems, and both underground and overland [[rail transport|rail]], have been implemented in major cities, to provide safer and better-regulated transit services.

Major airports in South Africa include [[Cape Town International]] in [[Cape Town]], [[King Shaka International]] in [[Durban]], and [[OR Tambo International]] in [[Joburg]].

South Africa also features several major ports, including the advanced [[Port of Cape Town]], [[Port of Durban]] (SA's busiest port), and the [[Port of Gqeberha]].

[[File:South Africa - Cape Town (32416687271).jpg|thumb|right|261px|Road network in the predominantly suburban Atlantic Seaboard region of [[Cape Town]]]]

[[Cape Town]] is regarded to have the best-run and best-maintained transport infrastructure. The city dedicates a significant portion of its annual budget to transport infrastructure investment, and continues to develop transit systems. Cape Town's Metrorail commuter rail system features modern trains, manufactured by [[Gibela]]. The city also has dedicated bike lanes, and a far-reaching, tap-to-pay BRT system ([[MyCiTi]]), which employs dedicated bus lanes on freeways and major roads.

==Department of Transport==

[[File:International Departures at Cape Town Airport.jpg|thumb|right|261px|Part of the International Departures area at [[Cape Town International Airport]]]]

The [[Department of Transport (South Africa)|Department of Transport]] is responsible for the regulation of all transportation in South Africa, including [[public transport]], [[rail transport]]ation, [[civil aviation]], [[Freight transport|shipping]], [[freight]], and [[motor vehicle]]s. According to the department's vision statement, "Transport [is] the heartbeat of South Africa's economic growth and social development"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.transport.gov.za/Home/AboutUs.aspx|title=Home – Department-of-Transport}}</ref>

The Department manages several [[government agencies]], which have specific mandates, such as the [[Road Traffic Management Corporation]], [[Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa]], [[SANRAL]], the [[Railway Safety Regulator]], and [[Airports Company South Africa]].

==Roads==
===Road network and freeways ===
{{See|Numbered routes in South Africa}}
South Africa’s road infrastructure expanded significantly during the apartheid era, particularly to facilitate the transport of Black workers who had been forcibly relocated to Bantustans. This expansion included substantial government subsidies, sometimes exceeding $1,000 per commuter. In some regions, such as KwaNdebele, the state’s bus subsidy exceeded the area's gross domestic product.[2][[File:Cape Town Excite Taxis Cabs 1.jpg|thumb|right|261px|Private, metered [[taxi]] in Cape Town]]

In 2002, South Africa had 362,099km of highways and 73,506km of paved (including 239km of expressways).<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-africa/| title = CIA World Factbook| date = 19 January 2022}}</ref>

The term ''freeway'' in South Africa differs from most other parts of the world. A freeway is a road where certain restrictions apply.<ref>[http://www.transport.gov.za/library/legislation/road%20traffic%20act.txt Road Traffic Act No 29 of 1989] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617110827/http://www.transport.gov.za/library/legislation/road%20traffic%20act.txt |date=17 June 2011 }}</ref>
The following are forbidden from using a freeway:
* a vehicle drawn by an animal;
* a pedal cycle (such as a [[bicycle]]);
* a [[Motorcycle|motor cycle]] having an engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50&nbsp;cm<sup>3</sup> or that is propelled by electrical power;
* a [[Motorized tricycle|motor tricycle]] or motor quadrucycle;
* [[pedestrian]]s

Drivers on freeways must observe a minimum speed of 60 km/h and may not use hand signals except in emergencies. On multi-lane carriageways, slower drivers are required to keep left to allow faster vehicles to overtake.

Despite the popular opinion that "freeway" means a road with at least two [[carriageway]]s, single-carriageway freeways exist.<ref>{{cite web |title= Transportation: Roads |publisher= South Africa:– Stats and Facts |url= http://www.moving2southafrica.org/facts-and-stats/transportation.html |access-date= 15 June 2010 |archive-date= 27 July 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110727094706/http://www.moving2southafrica.org/facts-and-stats/transportation.html |url-status= dead }}</ref>
The [[Afrikaans]] translation of ''freeway'' is ''snelweg'' (literally ''fast road'' or ''expressway'').

===E-hailing===

South Africa has licensed numerous private operators to run [[e-hailing]] services, whereby taxis are sourced through mobile apps, on demand. Operators include [[Uber]] and [[Bolt (company)|Bolt]]. Availability is good in [[Metropolitan municipality (South Africa)|major cities]].

Since 2025, e-hailing drivers are required to register for e-hailing operating licenses. Under these permits, drivers are restricted to operating in specific jurisdictions. The new legislation is aimed at improving e-hailing safety and service quality.<ref name= "New E-hailing regulations restrict drivers to specific jurisdictions in South Africa">{{cite web|url= https://iol.co.za/business/2025-09-12-new-e-hailing-regulations-restrict-drivers-to-specific-jurisdictions-in-south-africa/ |title= New E-hailing regulations restrict drivers to specific jurisdictions in South Africa |author= Mthobisi Nozulela |publisher= IOL |date= 12 September 2025 |access-date= 13 September 2025 }}</ref>

===Minibus Taxis===

Minibus taxis are the most widely used mode of public transport in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.arrivealive.mobi/minibus-taxis-and-road-safety|title=Minibus Taxis and Road Safety|work=Arrive Alive|access-date=2018-09-14|language=en}}</ref> This is due to their availability and affordability to the public.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.polity.org.za/article/the-minibus-taxi-industry-in-south-africa-a-servant-for-the-urban-poor-2013-05-06|title=The minibus taxi industry in South Africa: A servant for the urban poor?|work=Polity.org.za|access-date=2018-09-14}}</ref> In 2021, there were 349,671 registered minibuses in South Africa<ref name="Calendar-Report-2021">{{Cite web |title=State of Road Safety Report |url=https://www.rtmc.co.za/images/rtmc/docs/traffic_reports/calendar/Calendar-Report-2021.pdf |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=www.rtmc.co.za |publisher=Road Traffic Management Corporation}}</ref> with 73,953 unroadworthy or unlicensed minibuses.<ref name="Calendar-Report-2021" /> The taxi industry operates with minimal government subsidy and oversight.

Vehicles are often poorly maintained, and labour practices within the sector are not consistently regulated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inyourpocket.com/johannesburg/Minibus-taxis_124550v|title=Minibus taxis {{!}} Getting Around {{!}} Johannesburg|website=inyourpocket.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-14}}</ref> Because many taxi owners own just a few taxis and each owner may choose to manage their business differently, there is not much known as to the inner workings of the industry. Efforts to formalise the industry have been ongoing since 1994, but as taxi organisations often don't abide by labour regulations, relationships between taxi operators and the state are often strained.

[[File:MyCiTi bus at Table Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|261px|A [[MyCiTi]] BRT bus near [[Table Mountain]] in [[Cape Town]]]]

===Cape Town and MyCiTi IRT===

The [[City of Cape Town]] has clarified that developing public transportation is a priority to achieve its long-term developmental goals. As such, the city has planned the development of an Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system called [[MyCiTi]] IRT. In 2007, the construction of this system began with the implementation of Cape Town's "[[Bus rapid transit|Bus Rapid Transit]]" system.

This first phase has been designed to enable easy integration of other forms of public transport – ranging from cycling to South Africa's famous minibuses in later stages of the IRT development<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Pages/Overview.aspx |title=IRT overview |access-date=2015-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121225203/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Pages/Overview.aspx |archive-date=21 January 2016 }}</ref> – including rail transit, seen currently as "the backbone of public transportation in Cape Town."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Pages/default.aspx |title=MyCiTi IRT: Project information |access-date=2015-10-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201954/http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=23 September 2015 }}</ref>

=== Carpooling ===
Carpooling, locally called “lift clubs” or “hikes”, is the practice of sharing a private vehicle for commuter or long-distance travel.  Long established in informal community networks, it has gained renewed attention because of rising transport costs, road congestion and climate-policy goals.<ref name="NHTS2020">{{cite report |title=National Household Travel Survey 2020 |publisher=Statistics South Africa |date=2022 |url=https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0320/P03202020.pdf}}</ref><ref name="FAnews2025">{{cite web |title=Carpooling to cut costs and beat road congestion? |url=https://www.fanews.co.za/article/short-term-insurance/15/motor/1023/carpooling-to-cut-costs-and-beat-road-congestion-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-sharing-a-ride-and-insurance/41260 |website=FA News |date=2 April 2025}}</ref>  
Cape Town’s 2025 mobility strategy identifies carpooling as a key congestion-reduction measure but also highlights barriers such as the absence of explicit provisions for non-commercial ride-sharing in the National Land Transport Act (2009, amended 2016), inconsistent insurance cover, and safety concerns cited by 34% of surveyed commuters.<ref name="News24">{{cite news |title=15 people in 10 cars: Capetonians aren’t carpooling – here’s how the city wants to change it |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/economy/15-people-in-10-cars-capetonians-arent-carpooling-heres-how-the-city-wants-to-change-it-20250322 |work=News24 |date=22 March 2025}}</ref> 

==== History and organisation ====
Informal lift clubs have been documented since at least the 1950s and expanded during the 1980s fuel-price shocks.  Rural “hike” points—designated roadside waiting areas—remain common on major highways.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Van Wijck |first=W. |year=1998 |title=An effective scheduling scheme for lift clubs |journal=South African Journal of Industrial Engineering |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=135–145 |doi=10.7166/9-1-388|doi-access=free }}</ref>  To this date, most arrangements remain organised informally, often via Facebook groups or WhatsApp chats.
International interest rose in 2007 when Logan Green cited Zimbabwean hitch-hiking culture as inspiration for founding the U.S. platform Zimride (later Lyft).<ref>{{cite web |title=Lyft: From Zimbabwean lifts to Silicon Valley |url=https://example.com/lyft-origin-article |website=Tech Chronicle |date=2013-07-12}}</ref> 

==== Recent developments ====
After a decade-long lull, carpooling rebounded in the mid-2020s amid public-transport constraints and increased institutional support. It supported the growth of digital platforms such as Crab a Ride, an AI powered carpooling platform, launched in 2024.<ref name="News24"/><ref name="CrabaRide">{{cite web |title=CrabaRide |url=https://www.crabaride.co.za |website=CrabaRide |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref> Other platforms and projects focus on more niche markets, such as Circles for intra-company commuting,<ref>{{cite web |title=Circles |url=https://www.circles.co.za |website=Circles}}</ref> Liftsearch for transport between Limpopo and Gauteng,<ref>{{cite web |title=Liftsearch |url=https://liftsearch.co.za |website=Liftsearch}}</ref> LyftClub for urban commuters,<ref>{{cite web |title=LiftClub: Ride Sharing |url=https://liftclub.co.za |website=LiftClub}}</ref> and university-specific services like Stellenbosch Lift Club.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stellenbosch Lift Club |url=https://www.stellenboschliftclub.co.za |website=Stellenbosch Lift Club}}</ref>

==== Potential benefits and Performance====
Higher carpooling adoption leads to significant benefits that are now well established. French ride-sharing studies report that each regular carpooler avoids ≈0.5 t of CO<sub>2</sub> annually and saves about US$2 000 in transport costs per person annually.<ref name="Blabla">{{cite web |title=BlaBlaCar 2019 Impact Report |url=https://www.blablacar.com/about-us/sustainability |website=BlaBlaCar |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref> Similar adoption in South Africa would yield significant economic and environmental benefit: over R260 million saved in fuel cost annually, removing 4 million cars from the road daily, while avoiding over 4.5 million tons of CO<sub>2</sub> every year. For context, these CO<sub>2</sub> savings equal roughly 9 % of 2023 road-transport emissions, while the monetary savings exceed the annual budget of the Gauteng provincial government.<ref name="NBI2023">{{cite report |title=Decarbonising South Africa's Transport Sector |publisher=National Business Initiative & Boston Consulting Group |date=30 March 2023 |url=https://www.nbi.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Decarbonising-South-Africas-Transport-Sector.pdf}}</ref><ref name="GPBudget">{{cite web |title=2023 Gauteng Budget Speech |url=https://cmbinary.gauteng.gov.za/Media?path=treasury%2FDocuments%2F2023+Gauteng+Budget+Speech+-09+March+2023.pdf |website=Gauteng Provincial Treasury |date=9 March 2023}}</ref>

Finally, the comparative performance of carpooling with alternative modes of transport is well established and is summarised in the table below.
{| class="wikitable"
! Mode !! Average cost (R / km) !! Door-to-door time (min) !! Peak-hour reliability
|-
| Lift clubs || 1.2–1.8 || 35–45 || 87&nbsp;%
|-
| Minibus taxis || 2.5–3.5 || 55–90 || 64&nbsp;%
|-
| Scheduled buses || 4.0–6.0 || 60–120 || 58&nbsp;%
|}  
''Source: National Household Travel Survey 2020; City of Cape Town Travel Demand Management Unit.''

=== Road transport safety ===

South Africa's road traffic system might be less effective than most industrial countries, but it is not worse than other African nations. South Africa has an institutional framework for road safety led by the [[Road Traffic Management Corporation]] (RTMC). South African transport laws follow global best practices, and the government has implemented and consistently updated legislation governing speed limits, drinking and driving, smoking in vehicles, motorcycle helmets, the wearing of seatbelts, child restraints, and mobile phone use.<ref name="heres-why-this-isnt-true" />

South Africa counts 26 deaths each year for 100,000 people (260 per million), a higher rate than the global average of 18 per 100,000 (180 per million).<ref name="heres-why-this-isnt-true">{{cite web | url=https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/opinion/2021/2021-04/south-africa-bottom-of-the-class-for-road-safety-heres-why-this-isnt-true.html | title=2021-04 – South Africa bottom of the class for road safety? Here's why this isn't true – Wits University }}</ref>

In 2021, the country recorded 12,541 road fatalities for 11,726,476 vehicles (7.6 million motor vehicles and over 2.6 million [[light commercial vehicle]]s).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://albertonrecord.co.za/329357/aas-2022-entry-level-vehicle-safety-report-proves-encouraging/ | title=AA's 2022 entry-level vehicle safety report proves encouraging | date=2 August 2022 }}</ref> with "motor vehicle" including vehicles such as motorcycles and motor tricycles.

People killed in [[road accident]]s are mostly [[pedestrian]]s with a percentage of 37.6%. Passengers suffer 32% of fatalities and drivers 27%.<ref name="saferspaces">{{cite web | url=https://www.saferspaces.org.za/understand/entry/road-safety-in-the-south-african-context | title=Road Safety in the South African Context }}</ref>

58% of road deaths are attributed to alcohol use, which makes alcohol a leading factor in such fatalities.<ref name="heres-why-this-isnt-true" /> 
South Africa had the highest number of [[drunk driving]] incidents according to a WHO survey.<ref name="saferspaces" /> 

Pedestrians may be affected by a 60&nbsp;km/h posted [[speed limit]] in residential and urban areas, a speed so excessive that it reduces pedestrians' chance of survival.<ref name="saferspaces" />

According to some sources, 31% of South African drivers wear seatbelts,<ref name="heres-why-this-isnt-true" /> while other sources claim a 45 to 60% compliance rate for drivers.<ref name="saferspaces" />

Vehicle maintenance issues cause 9% of road accidents, including [[tire|tyre]]s, [[brake]]s, and [[Automotive lighting|light]]s issues.<ref name="saferspaces" />
When vehicle safety is involved, tyres are the first issue in 41% of vehicle factors.<ref name="Calendar-Report-2021" />

When a crash is considered major, the crash type is often a [[head-on collision]] (44%), [[multiple-vehicle collision|multi-vehicle]] (16%) or a [[T-bone collision|T-Bone collision]] (15%).<ref name="Calendar-Report-2021" />

==Railways==
{{main|Rail transport in South Africa}}

In 2000, South Africa had 20,384 km of rail transport, all of it [[narrow gauge railways|narrow gauge]]. 20,070&nbsp;km was {{RailGauge|1067mm}} gauge (9,090 km of that electrified), with the remaining 314&nbsp;km {{RailGauge|610mm}} gauge. The operation of the country's rail systems is accomplished by [[Transnet]] subsidiaries [[Transnet Freight Rail]], [[Shosholoza Meyl]], [[Metrorail (South Africa)|Metrorail]], [[Transnet Engineering]], [[Protekon]] et al.

A feasibility study is to be conducted into the construction of a 720&nbsp;km of {{RailGauge|sg}} ([[standard gauge]]) line from [[Johannesburg]] to [[Durban]] for [[Double-stack rail transport|double-stack]] [[Intermodal freight transport|container trains]].<ref>''[[International Railway Journal]]'', 2005-01-03</ref>

On 2010-06-07 the [[Gautrain]] opened between Oliver R Tambo International Airport ([[ORTIA]]) and [[Sandton]]. This is the first stage of a standard gauge passenger line connecting Johannesburg, [[Pretoria]] and ORTIA.<ref>{{cite web |last=Baumann |first=Julius |date=9 June 2010 |title=South Africa: Gautrain Gives Joburg a World-Class Touch |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201006090790.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610231735/http://allafrica.com/stories/201006090790.html |archive-date=2010-06-10 |website=allAfrica.com}}</ref>

South Africa's rail network connects with neighbouring countries including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.

===Transportation systems in nearby countries===

*{{flagdeco|Angola}} [[Transport in Angola|Angola]]
*{{flagdeco|Tanzania}} [[Transport in Tanzania|Tanzania]] same gauge as far as [[Dar es Salaam]] – transshipment to {{RailGauge|1000mm}} gauge at [[Kidatu]]
*{{flagdeco|Malawi}} [[Transport in Malawi|Malawi]] 
*{{flagdeco|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} [[Transport in the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]]
*{{flagdeco|Botswana}} [[Transport in Botswana|Botswana]]
*{{flagdeco|Lesotho}} [[Transport in Lesotho|Lesotho]]
*{{flagdeco|Mozambique}} [[Transport in Mozambique|Mozambique]], under repair
*{{flagdeco|Namibia}} [[Transport in Namibia|Namibia]]
*{{flagdeco|Swaziland}} [[Transport in Swaziland|Eswatini]]
*{{flagdeco|Zambia}} [[Transport in Zambia|Zambia]] 
*{{flagdeco|Zimbabwe}} [[Transport in Zimbabwe|Zimbabwe]]

==Airports==
{{main|List of airports in South Africa}}

=== Runways in South Africa ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Runway
!<914 m
!914/1&nbsp;523 m
!1&nbsp;524/2&nbsp;437 m
!2&nbsp;438/3&nbsp;047 m
!>3&nbsp;047 m
!Total
|-
|'''Paved'''
|11
|67
|50
|5
|10
|143
|-
|'''Unpaved'''
|252
|298
|34
|
|
|584
|}

=== International Airports and Airlines ===
South Africa has international airports in four cities: [[O. R. Tambo International Airport|Johannesburg]], [[Cape Town International Airport|Cape Town]], [[King Shaka International Airport|Durban]] and [[Nelspruit Airport|Nelspruit]]. The main international airports are in Johannesburg and, to a lesser extent, Cape Town. Nelspruit's international airport mainly serves travellers en route to the [[Kruger National Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sa-airlines.co.za/SA-Airports.html|title=SA Airports – Location, Contact Details, Telephone Numbers|website=sa-airlines.co.za|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref>

Many international airlines travel to South Africa, giving travellers many options. These include [[British Airways]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Ethiopian Airways]]  , [[Kenya Airways]], [[Qantas]], [[Singapore Airlines]], [[South African Airways]], [[Swiss International Air Lines]], [[Thai Airways]], [[Turkish Airlines]], [[Virgin Atlantic]], [[Air Mauritius]], [[Air Botswana]], [[Air France]], [[KLM]], [[Lufthansa]], [[Alitalia]], [[Malaysia Airlines]] and [[Qatar Airways]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.domesticflights-southafrica.co.za/international-airlines/|title=International Airlines|website=Domestic Flights South Africa|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref>

==Water==
{{main|:Category:Water transport in South Africa}}

South Africa's major ports and harbours are [[Cape Town]], [[Durban]], [[East London, Eastern Cape|East London]], [[Mossel Bay]], [[Port Elizabeth]], [[Richards Bay]] and [[Saldanha Bay]]. In 2006, the new port is to open: [[Ngqura]], at [[Coega]], which is 20&nbsp;km northeast of Port Elizabeth. The administration and operation of the country's port facilities are done by two subsidiaries of Transnet, the [[Transnet National Ports Authority]] and [[South African Port Operations]] (SAPO).

As of 2018, the merchant marine fleet included 15 vessels with a combined gross tonnage of 431,133GT

==Pipelines==
South Africa has an extensive pipeline network for crude oil, refined petroleum, and natural gas. The system is primarily operated by '''Petronet''', a Transnet subsidiary. The pipeline network includes:

* 931 km for crude oil,
* 1,748 km for petroleum products,
* 322 km for natural gas.

==Tramways==
[[File:Johannesburg-tram-001.jpg|thumb|One of the last trams that were in use in [[Johannesburg]] on display at the [[James Hall Transport Museum]]]]
Many urban tramway systems operated in South Africa but no longer do so. The last system (in Johannesburg) began in 1890 as Rand Tramway (electrified in 1906) and ceased operations in 1961.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.up.ac.za/dspace/bitstream/2263/8191/1/5b4.pdf |title=The role of transport in the rise and decline of the Johannesburg CBD, 1886-2001 |access-date=2011-06-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117100226/http://www.up.ac.za/dspace/bitstream/2263/8191/1/5b4.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2009 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Plug-in electric vehicles in South Africa]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}

==External links==
*[http://www.africaspotter.at.tt Aviation, Airlines, Airports in South Africa]
*[http://www.transport.gov.za/ Department of Transport]
*[https://www.arrivealive.co.za/document/BusAccidentstatistics.pdf Road statistics 2001/2003: distance travelled and fatal crashes by vehicle type and province] (PDF)
*[http://www.transnet.co.za/ Transnet Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311060004/http://www.transnet.co.za/ |date=11 March 2009 }}
*[http://www.sa-venues.com/traveldistances.htm Travel Distances]
{{Economy of South Africa}}
{{Africa in topic|Transport in}}
{{South Africa topics}}<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Airports in South Africa]]
[[Category:Transport in South Africa]]