Minibus taxis and private cars are the two primary modes of transport for people living in Gauteng, according to a province-wide survey conducted by the Gauteng-City Region Observatory (GCRO).

Of the 13,700 respondents, 36% said they relied on private cars and 38% said they used minibus taxis, with the choice differing according to their primary occupation.

More than 70% of respondents in professions generally associated with higher incomes, such as managers and professionals, use private cars, which includes driving as well as riding as a passenger. Even among employed people in lower-income roles, more than a quarter use private cars.

In contrast, car usage drops significantly for students, job seekers and those in elementary occupations (gardeners, general workers and cleaners). For these groups, less than 25% said they used private cars.

Half of the survey’s respondents who are unemployed and looking for work said they relied on minibus taxis.