DURBAN CENTRAL BUSINESS DURBAN CENTRAL BUSI NESS
3.2.2 Qualitative Examples
The preliminary research carried out above sets the parameters from which the below hermeneutical investigation can ethically proceed. This study seeks to provide a deeper understanding of human experience through a multi-level, multi-dimensional understanding of the environment.
The Following examples where quantified through diaries that were updated directly after each experience in order to maintain sight of the experiential whole that was established. To continue this method of understanding each extract was written using everyday language in order to reduce the need for premature abstraction, however due to the long and un-scientific nature of these written extracts, only the important points have been provided in each example. It must be noted however that these points are qualitative and based upon the authors own experiences.
Accessibility of information: The first task of the qualitative study was to acquire a train time table between Avoca Station and Durban Central Station.
• The starting point of this search began over the phone to little success as staff seemed unwilling to provide exact information regarding train times except regarding the schedule of the specific day in question.
• For more long term information they advised using the website provided by Metrorail
• By simply following the links to [http://www.durbantransport.com/traintimetable.htm] the user is taken to a list of excel spread sheet timetables.
• At this stage it must be noted that in order to select the appropriate time table the user must have some knowledge as to which routes are applicable to themselves.
• Once this has been established the correct time sheet can be downloaded. Before it can be of any benefit to the user however they would have to have access to spread sheet software and a basic understanding of how the workspaces contained within the spread sheets work.
Figure 43: Local Timetable
According to the quantitative cultural study carried out earlier the majority of train users fall within the group of low income earners. From this it can be assumed that a large number of train users do not have direct access to internet let alone the relevant skills and software required to access the information. A physical search is therefore necessary to establish how accessible this information is for the majority of rail users.
Physical Search - Avoca Station: At 9:30 on a Friday morning the search for a hard copy of the applicable time table began. The logical starting point of this investigation is Avoca Station, due to its close proximity with the author.
• With prior knowledge of the location available, orientation still proved difficult as the station is situated on a small side road below the horizontal plane of the main road.
• Despite the fairly derelict surrounds the station appeared to be undergoing a transformation, looking fresh and new if somewhat unfinished
• This new, clean and well planned station orientates the user subconsciously and encourages a sense of safety and togetherness.
• This sense of togetherness is enhanced by the smiles and friendly greetings of busy workers pushing wheelbarrows.
• The regular commuters on the other hand, cast unwavering stares and quizzical expressions, generating a sense of uneasiness and alienation. The most likely result of this may be due to a difference in racial
backgrounds and the almost negligible number of white travellers began to feel that maybe I was somewhere I was not meant to be, an alien in this world, and everyone knew it.
• The arrival of a surprisingly modern looking train shattered this sense of alienation as the passengers attention moved to the journey ahead allowing the sense of togetherness to once again return.
• When requesting a time table however the staff were unable to provide a hard copy but instead referred to a handwritten copy of the day’s trains.
Plate 18: Physical Search Avoca Station
Many positive factors were revealed through this trip to Avoca Station including, the quality of the architectural finishes, planning, friendly workers and helpful staff. However a hard copy of the timetable was not able to be obtained and the passenger’s apparent suspicion towards presence of a white participant lead to some feelings of alienation
Physical Search – Durban Central Station: Due to the difficulties experienced in obtaining information in regards to the train times the search moved to Durban Central Station.
• Access from the street was relatively simple as the streets themselves orientate the user towards a large white vaulted structure.
• Upon first impressions the building appeared to resemble a shopping centre more than a transport
interchange due to the large array of advertising boards and the authors own experiences developed through the past usage of European public transport.
• In the busy atmosphere of the parking lot people of all races meld into the single entity of the crowd, removing any past sense of alienation and strengthens the bonds of social togetherness.
• Upon exiting the car park, the ease of orientation becomes lost. Moving from the bus terminal to different parking lots and staff only areas parking until a short discussion with a fellow lost soul established the location of the actual train station.
• The interior of station has undergone massive improvements that can only be described as a clinical
shopping mall that’s ceiling had slipped too low and instead of retail stores the shop fronts contained an array of travel companies.
• Besides the old steam train these travel companies are the only signs that this shopping centre was in fact a transport interchange.
• The ticket sales directives hung from the ceiling, lead the towards the glass window which at this time was empty. After some yelling for attention a staff member arrived and once prompted solemnly explained that there weren’t any time tables and that everyone just reads the daily information boards?
Plate 19: Physical Search Durban Central
From this, the perception of low income earners that Public transport does have issues regarding convenience and reliability, in the sense that the times of trains appear to change daily and access to any long term route information is only accessible over the internet. However in regards to safety and expense more qualitative research is required.
Typical Train Journey: In the true sense of Heidegger’s concept of dwelling multiple train journeys where undertaken in order to establish the impact of safety and expense, as well as the experiential qualities involved
• The sense of alienation was slowly replaced by good humour as the surprised an quizzical responses from staff resulted in some light hearted teasing as Zulu announcements were quickly followed by ones giggled in English. Once aboard, the passengers also warmed up by opening doors and offering seats.
• Safety therefore seemed to be a problem established only in the minds of the people who don’t actually use public transport, however dialectic discussions with these passengers established that crime was still a small problem but had been vastly improved in the run up to the world cup.
• While these changes directly affected the safety, cleanliness and reliability of both trains and stations, some resentment seems to remain with the large majority of rail passengers, over the fact, that these changes only occurred in the run-up to the world cup.
• At a one way price of five Rand to get from Avoca to Durban central it is hard to see that expense is a major problem, but as always this is very subjective.
Plate 20: Typical Train Journey