It seems the relationship between transportation and ebooks isn't over; in fact, it's growing stronger. Not long ago, we saw London and New York trying to promote reading by offering a catalog of free ebooks to subway users . Now, South Africa appears to be following suit, although this initiative isn't being led by the South African government but by a private company.
The company Bookboon has joined forces with Gauntrain to offer free ebooks to transport users , especially younger ones who will also have access to digital textbooks.
This alliance is both intriguing and very positive for a continent where reading and access to books are not widespread , despite South Africa being a developed country. Therefore, these actions are positive, but they also raise eyebrows.
South Africa will be the third country to offer free ebooks on its transport
It is striking to many that we see how European countries with more resources than South Africa do not offer this despite being demanded by their users, while in South Africa two companies have decided to implement it.
But I am also struck by the fact that the news has reached the international stage and only three cities offer this (in the case of South Africa, the service is provided in the city of Johannesburg ), when many more cities could actually offer free ebooks to their citizens, not just those who use public transport such as the subway or train.
This makes me think that reading promotion programs aren't working as well as expected, or that we're gradually abandoning reading, which is quite bad for any society. And perhaps initiatives like those implemented in the South African or London Underground are more effective than others , although it seems that in Spain we'll be a while before we experience this, unfortunately.