The City of Joburg wants to ban private cars from the Joburg inner-city as part of its new strategy to manage traffic congestion to improve efficiency of public transport and encourage cycling and walking.
The proposal to restrict vehicle eligibility, access control and a possible accompanying pricing plan in large parts of the CBD comes off the back of the EcoMobility World Festival held in Sandton.
During the month-long festival motorists were encouraged to abandon their vehicles in favour of public transport.
The plan is likely to spark outcry among businesses and motorists in the inner-city just as it did in Sandton.
This week, the City outlined its plan, named “inner-city managed lanes” in a notice to residents stating it has commissioned an investigation into the feasibility and design of managed lanes in selected streets.
“PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY” CITY
The assessment focused on the feasibility of exclusive public transport lanes and access for conventional bus and minibus taxis. The City also wants to introduce formalised public transport stopping areas located along the selected streets, widened pavements and installing of pedestrian-friendly features where possible.
“Acute congestion in the city poses challenges to economic competitiveness and quality of life,” the council said.
“Commuters reaching their destinations in a reasonable time and reliable manner are an important goal.
“Currently, the existing infrastructure does not provide a system that satisfies this goal in peak periods.”
The creation of car-free zones in the inner-city was first mooted in 2010 following the success of public transport during the World Cup.
The City then proposed introducing park and ride for people coming into the CBD using the Westgate transport hub.
Then in 2012, the City adopted a managed lanes policy which it is now used as a benchmark in deciding what interventions would be suitable at the selected streets being studied.
Already Joburg city centre has dedicated Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes, which were also meant to contribute to the efficiency of public transport, but the lanes have often been obstructed by motorists and taxis.
PLAN OF ACTION
According to the new plan, the City could redesign existing managed lanes along Eloff and Miriam Makeba streets, reduce parking on BRT lanes in Albertina Sisulu (formerly Market Street), Commissioner, Mooi and Troye Streets.
The council also wants to introduce further managed lanes on Harrison and Rissik streets, De Korte and Jorissen streets, Rahima Moosa (formerly Jeppe), Lilian Ngoyi (formerly Bree) and Ntemi Piliso Streets.
Other proposals the City has put forward are: to fully convert sections from Anderson to Albertina Sisulu streets to a BRT-only lane or to fully convert Eloff Street into a two-way, public transport street, only for minibus-taxis and buses between De Villiers and Anderson streets. The City also proposed removing some selected street parking on the southern sections.
The council said while the recommended changes are deemed likely to improve traffic flow and decrease congestion in the inner-city, it was aware that the application of rules for operation and enforcement will remain critical for the success of the scheme.
Saturday Star