Towards greener transport and sustainable travel behaviour : the case of the South African government vehicle fleet
Date
2022-12
Authors
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY: Business travel is one of the mechanisms used by various organisations to conduct business activities that are in line with their operational objectives. As in the private business sector, the South African government departments also travel to various locations to support service delivery in accordance to the Public Service Act(Department of National Treasury, 2017). Travel activities are predominately characterised by the use of motor vehicles powered by petrol or diesel engines. Petrol and diesel engines produce emission and later greenhouse gasses which cause global warming(Santos, 2017). According to Ducharme Consulting(2018), the South African government owns and operates a fleet of over 39 000 vehicles across all nine provinces. This number excludes an additional 55 000 vehicles which is owned and operated by the South African Police Service (SAPS) (Ducharme Consulting, 2018). With the risk posed by the effect of global warming, the South African government should change from traditional travel to greener and sustainable travel behaviour in order to reduce the negative externalities caused by its dependence on fossil-fuel road transportation to fulfil its mandate. The intension of this study is to investigate the vehicle fleet and related travel activities of the South African government departments in relation to green transportation and sustainable travel behaviour. The aim is to understand to what extent the departmental vehicle fleet and travel behaviour is aligned with a greener and sustainable transportation system. Through this study it is envisaged to encourage greener transport and sustainable travel behaviour within government to reduce greenhouse emissions.
The study collected data through the use of questionnaires and obtained financial data from National Treasury RT62/68 monthly reports. The questionnaires collected data from National Government Transport Officers and the data from National Treasury RT62/68 monthly reports was obtained from service providers who manage and administer the government subsidised motor vehicles. The findings revealed that government does not consider environmental impacts when travelling nor when procuring motor vehicles for service delivery activities. The questionnaire findings and data collected from service providers who administers government subsidised motor vehicle scheme revealed a total fleet of 7980 and only 0.14% of the total fleet are electric vehicles (EV). The amount of litres of fuel consumed by this identified vehicle is 20 797 580.20. Lack of environmental considerations is also demonstrated by the choice or the preferred make of the vehicle. The preferred vehicle is a 4x2 bakkie with an engine capacity of 2151-2500 cubic centimetre (cc). The preferred make represents 29.61% of the total government subsidised motor vehicles as compare to the most cost effective and fuel efficient make which represents only 0.19% of the total government subsidised motor vehicles. The preferred vehicle make is not fit for purpose as bakkies by design and specifications are meant to carry a payload in business.
The findings also revealed unsustainable travel behaviour based on the incurred travelling fuel costs for twelve months amounting to R293 661 173.00 and lack of policy interventions which is demonstrated by the absence of CO₂ emission mitigating directives within the National Government Transport policy and end user departments. Government as a key stakeholder and public policy maker should begin transforming its own vehicle fleet to lead the transition to a greener and sustainable transport system. The need for the use of economical, fuel efficient and electrified motor vehicles that is integrated with effective transport management is crucial for sustainable transportation and development, therefore government should lead by example.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
Description
Thesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.
Keywords
Government vehicles -- Management -- South Africa, Motor vehicle fleets -- Management -- South Africa, Government -- Transportation -- South Africa, UCTD