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Johannesburg - Half of young South Africans who use public transport feel it is unsafe to do so, according to a survey released on Monday.
From the 3 573 youth surveyed, 50% felt they were "not very" or "not at all" safe from attacks or accidents while using public transport, while 47% felt "very" or "fairly safe".
Respondents singled out taxis as the most dangerous form of public transport, with 56% saying it had the highest risk. 20% said trains were the most unsafe, while 18% said it was buses.
The cellphone survey by Pondering Panda was conducted among people aged between 13 and 34.
Pondering Panda spokesperson Shirley Wakefield said it was clear young people were afraid of public transport, but many had no choice but to use it.
"The regulation of taxis needs to be addressed urgently, and oversight of operators put in place to ensure that drivers do not speed, and that vehicles are roadworthy at all times," she said.
"South Africa’s roads are already among the most dangerous in the world, making it all the more important to put the proper safeguards in place for the millions of people who rely on public transport."
