Long Commutes Keep South African Workers Poor, Study Finds

Published 2026-10-24

Many workers in South Africa spend hours travelling to and from their jobs every day. According to recent figures reported by IOL, the average one-way trip takes 107 minutes by train, 84 minutes by bus, 63 minutes by taxi and 44 minutes by car. These numbers are averages, which means that many people face even longer journeys.

The long travel times are closely linked to the way many South African cities were planned. During the apartheid era, many black and mixed-race communities were built far away from city centres, near factories, mines and offices. Today, many of these areas are still a long distance from where people find work. As a result, workers often pay high transport costs and lose time that could be spent with their families, studying or resting.

Long commutes also affect how much money people can earn and save. Workers who spend several hours each day travelling may have less energy for work and fewer chances to look for better jobs. Transport can also take a large share of a low income, which makes it harder for families to escape poverty. Experts say that better public transport and housing closer to jobs could help solve this problem.

The issue remains an important part of the national debate about inequality and economic growth. Although the figures show clear differences between travel options, the true impact depends on the daily experience of millions of commuters. For many South Africans, the distance between home and work is still one of the biggest barriers to a better life.

Sources: IOL

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