The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is in support of the City of Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that is designed to provide quality, safe, reliable and affordable transport system. This is in line with the department's mandate of facilitating the provision of integrated, reliable and efficient public transport for the residents of Gauteng.
The Bus Rapid Transit is a transport system being used to combat congestion and provide better public transport. The branded buses will run in dedicated lanes in the centre of the existing roads and streets ferrying commuters, from different townships, in comfort and quickly around the Gauteng cities.
Buses passenger capacity they differ, some carry 75 and others 112 depending on the bus model. They currently operate from about 20 stations, positioned 500 meters apart. The buses will run every five minutes (during peak hours) and at 20 minutes during off-peak. Smaller feeder buses and mini-bus taxis will assist in bringing commuters from outer areas to stations on the trunk routes.
The BRT is a world-class transport system that is being implemented in different countries to complement existing transport plans to ensure the most effective movement of people across cities. The system has short, medium and long term benefits.
These being:
* the provision of accessible, safe and secure public transport system
* a transport system that caters for the disabled, elderly and mothers with children
* a significant decrease in road congestion, energy consumption and vehicle emissions and reduction in pollution
* the recapitalisation of the public transport fleet
* improving efforts to containing urban sprawl and promote densification
* economic development in and around areas of operation and thereby creating employment opportunities
* a world class public transport system which South Africans can be proud of.
The transport system has encountered challenges before its launch which includes:
* the need to develop a robust business and financial model as well as obtaining buy-in from existing operators and financial institutions
* the training of owners and operators for the successful BRT operations
* ensuring that the BRT system meets expectations in terms of safety, affordability, reliability etc
* the planning and implementation in a short space of time
* educating users and potential users.
The introduction of the BRT system will modernise public transport in the city and change the way people travel within the city. With the introduction of this revolutionary transport system, the department will support and ensure successful implementation of such projects in other cities as well.
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government
4 September 2009
Source: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gdace.gpg.gov.za/)
