Dear colleagues in the MAC “Next Generation Scholars” Community, we hope to see you at the next MAC Research Forum – specifically for Next Generation scholars in mobility and access – where we will focus on MAC paratransit challenges and opportunities in African cities

Public transport systems in contemporary Sub-Saharan-Africa (SSA) cities are predominantly paratransit, which holds the largest modal share. Despite this, paratransit in SSA presents a series of complex characteristics that have been poorly understood and scarcely considered in the planning of urban transport systems. Thus, more research is needed to understand the challenges, operations and the opportunities/future options for paratransit. This Research Forum will address these issues by drawing upon work on paratransit operations from selected cities in SSA.

QUESTIONS WILL INCLUDE:

• How can we understand paratransit operations in African cities? 
• What is the paratransit juxtaposition (inherent challenges and advantages/ opportunities)?
• How might in-depth knowledge about paratransit operations be applied to improve the safety, planning and operations of paratransit?

PROGRAM

Moderators: Robert Ambunda, University of Namibia; Paschalin Basil, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Logistical host: Karin Henriksson, VREF

Welcome and introduction
Henrik Nolmark, VREF Director

The MAC NextGen initiative – short orientation and news
Robert Ambunda, Paschalin Basil

PRESENTATIONS

“Minibus Taxi fare Integration”
Presenter: Kwazi Mcetywa, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Discussant: George Ukam, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,Ghana 

“Using dignity as a thought framework to improve paratransit”
Wambui Kariuki, Technical University of Israel, Israel
Discussant: Caroline Matara, Technical University of Kenya, Kenya  

“Development of guidelines for the implementation of priority infrastructure for minibus taxis”
Lourens de Beer, University Pretoria, South Africa
Discussant: Kondwelani Nkhosi, Road Development Agency, Zambia 

Plenary Discussion

Closing – news from VREF