The use of social media in the Gautrain in Gauteng Province, South Africa : analysis and lessons learnt

The use of public transit systems is still in its infancy in Gauteng, South Africa. Commuters still prefer using private motor vehicles. However the introduction of the first efficient high speed train in Africa (The Gautrain) during the 2010 World Cup was thought to change perceptions of the public on transit systems. The Gautrain was also thought to enhance Johannesburg as a smart city. Social media has proved to be useful in proving user information, which can be use to improved services. The study is an exploratory study, which analyses how commuters feel on the effectiveness of the Gautrain by analysing posts on social media before and after completion of construction of the Gautrain system. Emerging findings reflect that although the Gautrain has positively changed the publics’ perception on public transit systems, the Gautrain system still needs to be improved for the South African public to embrace fully public transit systems