APL 120 Tutorial - 3a PDF

Preview

Summary

This was a tutorial assignment to practice our essay abilities...

Description

APL 120 Tutorial - 3a 18 August 2016 Both the Gautrain and e-tolls were developed to improve transportation in South Africa. The Gautrain was to be used as an alternative to travelling by car, taxi or bus as well as shortening travelling time and cutting out traffic in most cases. E-tolls were implemented as an electronic means of paying for toll fees, the idea behind this was ingenious as the toll booths were simple structures that would be easily built and maintained and it was a faster alternate to manual toll booths that take up time to go through. However only one of these development projects was a success while the other was a failure right from the get go even with its impressive technology. The Gautrain is one of the greatest success stories about new age developments in South Africa as it was a new service that was offered and filled a much needed gap in the market. Yes, there were old railway stations that could be used for transport but these were not running at convenient times (peak-hours), they were often dirty and unsafe and the development of the Gautrain provided a service that was very much needed but we had not yet developed any infrastructure for it. This new development was thought to be only successful for a few months as it was something new and exciting but it proved to have longevity and has only grown since its start up with routes extending from Hatfield to Park in Johannesburg and the most frequently used O.R. Tambo International Airport. It has provided transport for commuters travelling to work or even university and other schooling institutions. Along with the train service, the Guatrain also has a shuttle bus service that will travel from stations to certain drop off points meaning more people can use it as a permanent means of travel. The Gautrain has also contributed to other developments near the stations. Sandton City has expended adding in more shops and offices which could be a result of the Gautrain station just up the road that brings more people into that specific area. E-tolls were, from the very beginning, voted against by many motorists who used the highway on a daily basis and were now being forced to pay for a “service” they did not ask for. There were many reasons that the e-toll development failed in South Africa in fact the Gautrain was one of the reasons as when e-tolls were introduced the Gautrain provided an alternative means of transport for commuters. Other factors were the little support e-tolls received not only from citizens but also from political parties who sided with the public, the complex tariff and billing system which brought an outcry from the public when they were tolled for more than they were supposed to be some people even being tolled without having gone through the gantries. In my opinion development will only work if there is a definite need for the development or a resounding ‘ye’ from the public. A development should be thought of as an entrepreneurial venture, not to make money but rather to find a gap in the market and fill it. This was demonstrated by the Gautrain although it wasn’t necessarily a need in the beginning it did fill a gap in the market and has since been developing into bigger and better things. E-tolls however in no way filled a gap, in fact a created a ‘gap’ that was never there to begin with and it was still developed despite not being needed or wanted. Developments are meant to be there to help and improve the lives of people and if a new idea can tick all these boxes the chances are that it will be a successful development are high....