The first phase of the R10-billion Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will be up and running in time for the Confederations Cup in June next year.
Already, the roadworks on the section of the Pat Mbatha taxi and busway, which links Soweto to the inner city, has been completed.
It is estimated that during the Confederations Cup, the Rea Vaya BRT will be able to transport 69 300 passengers per day.
City of Joburg mayoral committee member for transport Rehana Moosajee said that the construction schedule would be completed on a sufficient scale to serve the needs of the Confederations Cup.
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"We are concentrating on areas that will ensure the BRT can provide services around, and between, the key soccer stadiums in the city, namely Orlando Stadium and Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park).
"In addition, we are looking to satisfy the overwhelming need for enhanced public transport for commuters travelling from Soweto and surrounding areas into the inner city. Providing effective and efficient transport, at an affordable cost, is our primary objective, and we are well on track to meet these commitments," said Moosajee.
In time for the Confederations Cup, there will be:
25,5km of BRT trunk route infrastructure;
10 routes, comprising one trunk, four complementary and five feeders;
20 BRT stations;
143 buses, comprising 41 articulated buses and 102 complementary buses;
a new BRT Bus Operator Company;
a state-of-the-art BRT Control Centre; and
a BRT fare system using smart-card technology.
The BRT Rea Vaya routes for Phase 1A will run from Regina Mundi to Orlando where it will link the stadium in Orlando to Soweto. The BRT routes will also run from Soweto, along the Pat Mbatha highway, to the inner city, along Market and Commissioner streets. The two loops in the inner city will link the stadium in Orlando to the stadium in Ellis Park by passing through the Joubert Park area.
The first BRT prototype station will be built in Joubert Park in October this year. The remaining stations will be constructed off-site in a modular fashion. It is hoped that the assembly will be done in South Africa.
However, Moosajee warned, the extent and scope of a complex project such as this should not be under-estimated.
In order to be ready on time, the council was running many of the project's 26 different work streams in parallel. These include buying a bus fleet, infrastructure, intelligent transport system implementation, negotiations with existing taxi and bus operators and the establishment of new BRT bus companies and bus fleet procurement.
The state-of-the-art control centre, which will be based at the Johannesburg Road Agency's offices in Sauer Street, will have intelligent capacity to ensure the smooth running of the BRT system, including facilitating and managing the day-to-day operations, scheduling and movement of the buses.
It is envisaged that the trunk buses will run once every three minutes during peak periods, with a minimum frequency of three buses per hour during off-peak hours. The electronic ticketing system will provide a cashless pre-paid fare collection system, minimising boarding delays and reducing travel time.
Moosajee said memoranda of understanding had been signed with both the taxi and bus industries to work with the city to explore opportunities in the BRT.
She said the Rea Vaya was the largest-ever climate change project for improved air quality in the city.
The BRT first phase is expected to create 51 000 jobs.
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Star on August 20, 2008
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