Statistics South Africa did a National Travel Survey on behalf of the National Department of Transport from 25 May to 20 June 2003.

The survey provided an accurate analysis of the population's transport habits broken down by gender, modes of transport, rural and urban areas, and local authority planning zones (e.g. townships and suburbs within Johannesburg).

The Survey interviewed around 50 000 households nationwide to determine their travel patterns and which modes of transport they use to get to work, hospitals and schools.

The National Department of Transport saw a need for the survey because there is currently no reliable and detailed instrument that can measure key White Paper and National Land Transport Transition Act performance indicators for public transport users.

The results of the survey will provide the National Department of Transport with information that will assist in planning and assisting with the targeting of transportation investments and subsidies.