Race, class and comfort on rural buses, 1925-1955

Abstract

In the country areas where sparse settlement and light traffic did not warrant the construction of railways, the South African Railways operated a road transport service for passengers and small freight since 1912. White passengers were accommodated more comfortably than blacks, and protected their privilege fiercely. Educated, middle-class black passengers in particular objected to the rough physical conditions under which they travelled, and requested superior facilities that would reflect their higher social standing. The Railways struggled to operate a service that would satisfy its critics, yet be financially viable in the face of fluctuating demand.