It's been an exhilarating few months witnessing the triumph of the Gautrain. Long slandered in the years leading to 2010 as the folly of the World Cup and symbol of the country's incompetence, the Gautrain remains a lasting icon of the optimism of the games and a reminder of what South Africa can accomplish. Today it is one of the country's few methods of public transportation that has been embraced by many strata of South Africans -- not only those who must rely on public transportation, but also those who choose to do so. Particularly in Jo'burg, that is a rare thing indeed.
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| Oh so subtle |
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| Which floor for Gautrain? |
In the whole scheme of things, this probably is a minor point, so kudos to Gautrain for getting the big stuff out of the way, but this still another example of the Gautrain operation missing the mark. I'll say it again: you can't make it difficult for people to use your service. Marketing inside the airport may seem counter-intuitive, but think about the captive audience that may have driven for their current trip, but might be swayed for future trips. Or tourists that aren't sure how to get around. An increased presence for Gautrain within the airport will help to boost its ridership to ensure its sustainable operation.
On a side note, I was really happy to see pedestrians and cyclists abound in Stellenbosch. So, it seems that the fear and aversion to hitting the pavement isn't wholly endemic to South Africa. Which leads me to ask: why you so lame like that, Jo'burg?
To answer your last question, Stellenbosch, much like Potchefstroom, is a student city, where a lot of students still depend on their legs to get around. However, Johannesburg is much bigger and is not as safe as those dorpies. I have also taken it upon me to start walking the 4,3 km to work once we move, but the danger factor is still very present. People are too scared to walk.
ReplyDeleteHey Megan,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I'm super excited that you follow my blog! You're right to raise the point of the size of Stellenbosch vs. Jo'burg, but I have to note that challenging the safety issue of walking is kinda the central thesis of this site. I started writing this after a woman my age told me that she didn't feel safe walking just 2 blocks to Killarney Mall. For ages I'd been told similar deterrents from well-meaning people and so I believed it -- and truthfully, some terrifying things do happen in Jo'burg. But I finally realized that I couldn't live like that and so I started venturing out. Slowly but surely, I figured out where I felt comfortable and how to avoid those places where I didn't. My comfort areas soon expanded and now I'm hot-footin' all over this here city. I just wish there were more folks who looked like you and me out doing it too, because then I wouldn't look so strange! As I've said before, I know I'm not invincible, and I'm certainly not trying to push my luck, but I'm living proof that Jo'burg isn't as scary as its reputation. And that's awesome about your goal of walking with the new house. I'd love it if you share your experiences here on this blog when you do! Good luck with the move.
Kate
Thanks Kate! I am very excited about the move. The problem with walking is that there are some open fields in the area that I am aiming to walk in, which in itself is quite scary. But I think if I'm armed with a pepper spray, I'll feel a bit more secure. I would love to share my walking experiences with you, but I am a journalist, so I won't be walking to work everyday, as I have to go out on some interviews.
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