Did you know that if only 15% of car users who live close to the City switch to the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, we'll save 382 940 tons of CO2 by 2010 and 1.6 millions tons by 2020?

The Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is the single largest climate change initiative ever undertaken by the City of Johannesburg and represents a major turning point in how the City deals with congestion, pollution and greenhouse gases as a result of transportation.

Rea Vaya offers an alternative form of public transport - fast, convenient, safe and affordable. This will hopefully persuade people to switch their mode of transport away from private motor vehicles and ultimately to help to alleviate congestion in and around the City.

Furthermore, by replacing poor quality buses running on poor quality fuel with Rea Vaya's brand-new fleet of buses, which will run on low-sulphur diesel and the most advanced pollution reduction equipment, air quality will be dramatically improved.

An extensive study conducted to determine the implications that Rea Vaya will have on green house gas emissions and the environment supports the implementation of the system.

This detailed, on-the-ground analysis of passenger traffic conducted along the major trunk routes of the Rea Vaya corridor revealed an expected saving of 382,940 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions as a result of the implementation of the Rea Vaya system by 2010. Operation of a Rea Vaya system through 2020 is estimated to save 1.6 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions.

Additionally, by using Rea Vaya's "green" buses Nitrous Oxides will be reduced by thousands of tons per year and particulate matter, the most dangerous vehicular emission to human health, by hundreds of tons annually.

The City of Johannesburg is working closely with the Gauteng Department of Agricultural Conservation & Environmental (GDACE) in order to get environmental approvals for the construction of various sections of the Rea Vaya BRT system routes. Environmental impact assessments have also been carried out in order to ensure that construction will not negatively impact on the environment in the City of Johannesburg.

Furthermore, applications to have the project approved for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) credits are underway. The Department of Minerals & Energy Affairs has said that it has "no objection" to the City applying for CDM credits and this is the first step in a long process to have the project registered.

Rea Vaya: update

• The appointment of a Probity Advisor to provide guidance on, among others, integrity, governance, processes, finances, procurement and contracts.
• MOUs have been signed with both the taxi and bus industries operating in and around the City to work with the City to explore BRT.
• New bus companies (comprising incumbent taxi and bus operators) will be contracted to operate the system.
• There will be one fare system contractor, providing the fare equipment and operating the system comprising:
  • Same fare levels as buses and taxis.
  • Ticket equipment at stations and on buses.
  • Contact-less smartcards - bank-issued and proprietary.
  • Back office doing daily clearing and reconciliation.
  • Automatic vehicle location system (GPS).
  • Control centre for Phase 1A
• Detailed capacity and traffic engineering work is being undertaken in the Inner City and along the various sections.
• There will be one prototype bus station complete by the end of October 2008, with the rest being constructed off-site in a modular fashion.
• "Requests for Information" have been advertised for the procurement of the buses for Phase 1A.
• In total Phase 1 will create over 29 000 jobs (excluding bus manufacture/assembly process)
• Rea Vaya will be totally accessible to people with disabilities.