2003年-世界发展银行全球_Urban_Transport_Services_in_Sub-Saharan_Africa___Improving_Vehicle_Operations_56页_1mb

Summary of Urban Transport Services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSATP Working Paper No. 75)

Core Content

This working paper, prepared by Mustapha Benmaamar for the Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP), focuses on the challenges and opportunities for improving urban transport services in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in Uganda and Ghana. It outlines key findings from a two-year research project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), emphasizing the need for institutional and regulatory reforms to enhance vehicle operations and overall transport efficiency.

Main Findings and Issues

• Transport Mode: Road transport is the dominant mode for both goods and passenger movement in Uganda and Ghana.
• Market Structure: The transport sector is largely deregulated, with transport services in private hands. In both countries, there is an oversupply of low-capacity buses and a high number of fatal accidents.
• Vehicle Characteristics: Used vehicles form the majority of the fleet, with 90% of imports being used vehicles. The average age of these vehicles is 15 years.
• Cost and Efficiency: High operating costs and low vehicle utilization are prevalent. Empty-running and overloading are common, leading to pavement damage and long waiting times between loads.
• Regulatory Weakness: The role of the government in regulating transport is limited, and there is a lack of enforcement of licensing and safety standards.
• Monopolistic Practices: Transport associations dominate the market, controlling routes, fares, and terminals, and often do not operate based on transport needs or efficiency.
• Driver and Operator Behavior: Drivers and operators often lack the necessary training and expertise, contributing to inefficiency and safety concerns.
• Resource Allocation: Ministries responsible for transport have historically been under-resourced, with a disproportionate allocation of funds and personnel to infrastructure development over planning and regulation.

Key Recommendations

• Vehicle Replacement: Encouraging the replacement of used vehicles with newer, more efficient models can lead to significant cost savings.
• Professionalism: Introducing professionalism in the transport industry, including a compulsory bus driving license, is essential for improving service quality and safety.
• Institutional Reforms: Establishing an independent regulatory body is crucial to enforce transport regulations and promote competition.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Promoting PPPs can enhance the development and management of bus and lorry parks, leading to better service delivery and infrastructure.
• Sustainable Funding: Developing sustainable funding mechanisms for transport authorities is necessary to support long-term improvements.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Increasing the involvement of stakeholders through workshops and sensitization campaigns is vital to raise awareness and build consensus for reform.

Impact on Poverty

The inefficiencies in the transport sector, including high costs and poor service reliability, significantly impact the mobility of people and the economic development of the region. Improving transport services can help reduce poverty by enhancing access to jobs, goods, and services, and by reducing the cost of transport for both individuals and businesses.

A Way Forward

• Action Plans: National stakeholder workshops in Uganda and Ghana helped develop action plans to improve transport services, focusing on increasing efficiency and promoting competition.
• Implementation Strategies: The implementation of these action plans requires innovative methods and a designated Program Implementation Unit (PIU) to oversee the process.
• Support Mechanisms: Donors and international organizations should support the Ministries of Local Government in incorporating transport strategies into their development plans and managing transport infrastructure.
• Information Sharing: A broader sensitization and information-sharing process at the international level is needed to promote best practices and lessons learned from similar initiatives in other African cities.

Conclusion

The paper highlights the urgent need for institutional and regulatory reforms to improve urban transport services in Sub-Saharan Africa. These reforms should focus on enhancing professionalism, introducing competition, and ensuring efficient use of the vehicle fleet. The establishment of an independent regulatory body and the promotion of PPPs are identified as key steps toward achieving these goals. The successful implementation of these measures will require strong stakeholder engagement, adequate funding, and a coordinated approach between the public and private sectors.

Key Options for Improvement

• Replacing Used Vehicles: Leads to improved efficiency and safety.
• Vehicle Financing Support: Establish a support framework to make vehicle financing more accessible and sustainable.
• Reducing Fleet Age: Encouraging the replacement of old vehicles to lower maintenance costs and improve performance.
• Professionalism: Introducing professional standards for drivers and operators.
• Compulsory Licensing: Implementing a compulsory bus driving license to ensure quality and safety.
• Route Allocation: Allocating bus routes based on transport demand rather than arbitrary decisions.
• Funding Mechanisms: Developing sustainable funding mechanisms for transport authorities.

Stakeholder Involvement

• Workshops: Conducted in Kampala and Accra to disseminate findings and develop action plans.
• Champions: Identified local "Champions" to represent the private sector and lead reform efforts.
• Stakeholder Review: Necessary to ensure the effectiveness of proposed reforms and to align them with the needs of the transport industry.

Appendices

• Action Plans: Detailed action plans were developed for Uganda and Ghana, focusing on improving transport services through various initiatives.
• Steering Committee: In Ghana, a Steering Committee comprising key actors from both public and private sectors was formed to lead the reform process.
• Logical Framework: Outlined the steps for improving vehicle operations in Uganda, including the establishment of a PIU and regular reporting to donors.

This working paper serves as a foundation for future policy development and capacity building in the transport sector of Sub-Saharan Africa.