El instinto en un proceso metamorfosico

These results provided some valuable information on Sections C (Transport modes), D (Public attitudes towards sustainable transport) and E (Transport initiatives), according to the questionnaire. The objectives 2, 3 and 5 were met (to explore the public attitudes towards sustainable urban transport in selected areas of the City of Tshwane; to identify the transport modes used by the residents in selected areas of the City of Tshwane; and to identify transport initiatives that should encourage the public to use sustainable transport modes).

• Figure 4.6 indicates the transport modes used by the residents in selected areas of the City of Tshwane, revealing that the private car as the most available mode of transport to the residents of the City of Tshwane, with a percentage of 70%. This shows that on average most people rely on their private cars. On the other hand, motor cycles (13%) were found to be the least available mode of transport in selected areas of the City of Tshwane. Taxi and bus had a percentage of 58% and 41%, respectively, showing that taxi and bus are available for a considerable number of people in the City of Tshwane. Cycling was found to have a lower percentage of 15%. Overall, the private car was the most frequently used mode of transport for all the trips made. This result is in line with previous research that indicates that the private car is the mode of transport that is most used (Susilo et al., 2012).

Bicycle transport was found to be the least used mode of transport. A recommendation could be made that the City of Tshwane should improve on the provision of sustainable urban modes of transport that are environmentally friendly. More sustainable urban modes of transport should be made available to the public.

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• Figure 4.7 depicts the most frequently used transport by the respondents, indicating that overall, the most frequently used mode of transport for all trips is the private car. ‘Visiting friends and relatives’ had the highest percentage of private car use of 63%, followed by

‘local leisure travel’ with 60%. ‘Shopping’; ‘travel to work’; ‘taking children to and from school’; and ‘travel while at work’ had 58%, 51%, 49% and 47%, respectively. The age group 25-45 most frequently used the private car on a daily basis for all the trips. The results are consistent with those of previous research, which indicates that the private car is the most frequently used mode of transport for most of the trips; and it is still dominant (Xia et al., 2017; Uttley & Lovelace, 2016; Carse et al., 2013). The City of Tshwane should consider implementing deterrents to driving private cars – in an effort to shift from private car use to sustainable transport modes.

• Figure 4.8 depicts the Transport-service dimension considered when choosing the mode of transport to use by the respondents, indicating ‘safety’ as the most important factor considered; while ‘environmental benefits’ were the least important factor considered.

Previous research also indicates that the most important factor considered when choosing transport by the public is safety (McCarthy et al., 2017; Madhuwanthi et al., 2015; Lopez-Saez et al., 2014). Each mode of transport has its own inherent characteristics. The needs, expectations and knowledge of individuals are different; hence, these affect the decisions made in choosing the mode of transport. Other transport service dimensions, such as

‘convenience’, ‘time taken’ and ‘reliability’ were almost equally important. This should be considered by the City of Tshwane, when providing the public with transport.

• Figure 4.9 depicts the alternative modes of transport that may be considered by the residents of the City of Tshwane, as a way of promoting sustainable urban transportation, indicating bus transport as the most preferred alternative mode of transport. It may be assumed that there is a great opportunity and possibility of shifting the mode of choice to bus transport in the City of Tshwane. China’s cities created transit cities, so as to increase the use of public transport – in an effort to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion (Li

& Zhao, 2017). Therefore, it might be beneficial for the City of Tshwane to consider improving the service of the bus transport as a sustainable alternative to driving (Ranjbari

176 et al., 2017). The other alternative modes that were not popular may have been due to transport services dimension in Section 4.3.3. It could also be important to improve the transport-service dimension, so as to encourage the public to cycle or walk; as cycling and walking are cleaner sustainable alternative modes of transport (Sun et al., 2017).

• Figure 4.10 indicates that the majority of the respondents are aware of sustainable transport benefits; however, their actions do not match their awareness (for example, see the most frequently used mode of transport in Figure 4.7). The majority of the respondents agree that ‘cycling and walking can help me keep fit’ (88%); while ‘cycling and walking are more environmentally friendly options than driving’ (75%). Previous studies also revealed the positive impact of cycling and walking to the environment and human health (Avila-Palencia et al., 2017; Verma et al 2016; Taddei et al., 2015; Maizlish et al 2013). A significant percentage indicated that it was not important to reduce car use (25%). It could be important for the City of Tshwane to implement car- restriction policies – in an effort to reduce car usage. Educating the younger generation at an early stage on transport problems could be important for the long-term solution, in order to create a generation that is responsible for keeping the environment safe and clean.

• Figure 4.11 depicts awareness of traffic problems, revealing that the majority of the respondents are aware of traffic problems. Even though the majority are aware of traffic problems, their actions do not match the mode of transport used. Therefore, comprehensive car-restriction policies could be recommended, in order to reduce car usage.

• Figure 4.12 depicts how the respondents felt about the safety and comfort of cycling and car use. The majority of the respondents indicated that cycling is not a safe transport option;

and the respondents felt more comfortable in private cars than in other transport modes.

This finding is consistent with that of the previous research, which indicates that cycling is not a safe mode of transport (Xia et al., 2017; Verma et al., 2016; Fernandez-Heredia et al., 2014; Fishman et al., 2014; Gatersleben & Appleton, 2007). This result suggests that there is a need to improve the image of cycling. It could be beneficial for the City of Tshwane to promote cycling – starting among school-going children, so as to create a generation of

177 confident cyclists. Transport planners, city planners and policy-makers should eliminate barriers to cycling. Comprehensive town planning that creates a cycling-friendly environment could be of the utmost importance. Cycling policies that improve the safety of cycling tend to increase the usage of cycling as a mode of transport (Sun et al., 2017).

• Figure 4.13 depicts the feelings about public transport, revealing that public transport does not offer good service. The majority of the respondents indicated that public transport is unreliable, inconvenient, and that there is a lack of information on public transport. In Section 4.3.3, (transport-service dimensions), reliability, cost and convenience, were regarded as the important dimensions considered, when choosing a mode of transport in the City of Tshwane. It is recommended to have good national passenger information system, in order to increase public transport usage (Malasek, 2016). It could also be important for the City of Tshwane to improve the infrastructure and provision of public transport.

• The mere provision of public transport is not good enough to draw commuters from their private cars. Figure 4.14 depicts public transport initiatives that can be used to encourage commuters to use public transport. Overall, the majority of respondents indicated that the public transport initiatives suggested were effective; and they would encourage them to use public transport. However, the most effective initiative among other public transport initiatives considered by the respondents was ‘more reliable public transport’ followed by

‘more bus routes’. This finding is in agreement with the transport-service dimensions (Section 4.3.3) that are important when choosing the mode of transport. Reliability, cost and routes were among the transport-service dimensions that were regarded as important, when choosing a mode of transport. It is recommended to implement public transport initiatives; as there is a potential for the shift from private car to public transport.

• Figure 4.15 depicts cycling initiatives that may encourage commuters to cycle, revealing that overall, cycling initiatives are effective. The most popular initiative considered effective was ‘improved security and safety’ with a percentage of 76%. This result is in line with the previous research, which indicates that bicycle riding is likely to increase, if

178 the security and safety is improved for cyclists (Fernandez-Heredia et al., 2014; Verma et al., 2016). Previous research indicates that a better cycling infrastructure increases the usage of bicycles (Sun et al., 2017); building facilities, such as showers and lockers, could encourage commuters to cycle to their workplaces (Fernandez-Heredia et al., 2014); and dedicated cycling lane should encourage non-cyclists to start cycling (Fishman et al., 2014).

• Figure 4.16 indicated that the majority of the respondents considered walking initiatives as effective, with the exception of ‘car-free days’ that had 21% of the respondents considering it as not effective. ‘Improved existing walking routes’ initiative was considered to be the most effective initiative among other initiatives, with a percentage of 77%.

Previous research indicates that pedestrian networks and good infrastructure have the potential of promoting walking among the employed population (Maki-Opas et al., 2016).

It is evident from this study that the most frequently used mode of transport for work trips by the employed population is the private car. It could be beneficial for the City of Tshwane to encourage organisations to support their employees with the provision of showers, lockers and changing rooms – in an effort to encourage employees living within a walking distance from their workplaces.

The conclusions drawn from descriptive statistics for sustainable transport reveal the mode of transport that is available to the residents of the City of Tshwane; and the most frequently used mode of transport, the attitudes of the residents towards sustainable transport, as well as the transport initiatives that might encourage them to use sustainable transport in the city. The main conclusions from the exploratory factor analysis are discussed in Section 5.3.3.