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News Archive August 2010 Celebrate the first year of BRT
| Celebrate the first year of BRT |
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| Tuesday, 17 August 2010 |
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Joburg has done what many did not think possible – rolled out an efficient, affordable and reliable public transport system, on schedule.
IT'S been a real achievement to have implemented the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on deadline, effectively silencing the doomsters.
On match days, Rea Vaya makes special trips into the Soccer City precinct
The first buses rolled on to the streets of Joburg on 30 August 2009, and 11 800 passengers stepped on board in September. By May this year, passenger numbers had grown to 34 000 a month.
"Many thought it would never see the light of day," says Rehana Moosajee, the mayoral committee member for transport. She says there is reason to celebrate the BRT. The gleaming buses have been ferrying passengers around the city and suburbs for a year now, and she is very pleased with progress. PASSENGERSFor her, the prime purpose of Rea Vaya has been to improve the quality of life of ordinary Joburgers.
And the buses have done that for the 34 000 people who step aboard one of the 118 buses every day, to get to and from work or university, or simply to get around town. There are 38 articulated buses and 20 standard buses running on trunk routes, and 60 standard buses running on feeder routes.
Despite several incidents – three shootings at buses, eight passengers injured in shootings, and one passenger death – people have shown their support with their feet. "People have embraced the system – it has made a difference in people's lives, to have a better public transport system." WORLD CUPIt played a vital role in transporting World Cup visitors – some 307 000 were transported to stadiums during the tournament. What is important, stresses Moosajee, is that the legacy continues beyond the Cup. It was a thrill to see all kinds of people on the buses during the tournament, even Blue Bulls fans, she adds.
Fans filled up buses
The buses took the Bulls fans to an historic match, a Vodacom Super 14 semifinal against New Zealand team the Crusaders, at Orlando Stadium. It was the first time a rugby match of such stature was played in Soweto.
Moosajee says that the first year of the running of the buses has had its challenges and milestones. There have been the shootings, which seem to happen each time a new route is unveiled. But she praises the metro police and the South African police for offering support.
"The City of Joburg has been vindicated in its drive to have the BRT."
And as proof of that vindication, it has had visits from President Jacob Zuma and the ANC Youth League, who wanted to "see for themselves". She is grateful for national and provincial government support.
"We can celebrate the improved quality of life of drivers, too," says Moosajee, who was the only mayoral committee member to retain her portfolio in the reshuffle last June. TAXI DRIVERSAnd Joburgers will be happy to know that 360 taxis have been taken off the roads, as part of the goals of the Rea Vaya. Those 360 taxi drivers have handed in their taxi permits, and 200 of them have taken up jobs as BRT drivers, marshals, dispatchers and car washers, or just moved on to other challenges.
Ghana fans on their way to a match
The plan was to remove about 585 taxis from the roads, a goal that will easily be achieved as over 600 drivers have applied to have their taxis removed. "It is over-subscribed," she explains.
And even better news is that these former taxi drivers have received good reports on their driving skills.
"We have had very positive feedback on the performance of drivers, and that includes their driving skills and their attitude." Moosajee concedes that drivers have less interaction with passengers now, but says they will be going on refresher courses, to supplement the training courses they have already undertaken.
One of the lowlights was the recent death of Sipho Mtambo, the president of the Top Six Taxi Association. "It is quite sad that he is not with us – he played a major role in negotiations with the taxi industry."
Another lowlight for Moosajee has been the personal threats that have been made against her. She has even had a threat made on her and her family at their home, and she now has security with her at all times. LAUNCHThe BRT was launched in August last year, with routes running from locations in Soweto, through to the CBD and Ellis Park on its eastern perimeter, complemented by buses running an inner city route. The buses have empowered Joburgers by giving them a choice of public transport.
Youngsters take their first trip at the launch in August 2009
Feeder buses run from Protea Glen to Thokoza Park, and from Eldorado Park to Lakeview. These buses take passengers to the trunk route stations, from where buses take them to and from the CBD on designated bus lanes. The inner city circular route constantly travels around the CBD – from Braamfontein and Hillbrow to Ellis Park in the east, and Chancellor House on the western edge of the city.
Construction continues in the western suburb of Coronation, where a route will pass Helen Joseph Hospital and go along Kingsway Road, up Empire Road, then into the CBD. This route is expected to open in mid-2011. BUS OPERATING COMPANYIn early June this year, the City and the taxi industry signed an historic agreement – to hand over the BRT to the industry, allowing them to become shareholders in the new Bus Operating Company.
Former taxi drivers are now accomplished bus drivers
Moosajee expects the industry to take over the company by 1 September. At present it is run by Metrobus management.
She is keen that passengers notice no change in management, and is confident that the taxi industry will handle the switchover with ease. She anticipates that the transition will take around three months. "I have watched the industry participating in the negotiations and they have been very robust – they are holding their own."
The industry has spent a lot of time capacitating itself. "Raw entrepreneurial spirit is there – they have to channel this enthusiasm and spirit into the formal environment. It's a matter of getting the mix right. I remain fairly confident." FUTURE PLANSFor the rest of the year, Moosajee is looking to secure service improvements to the system. One is to introduce the service on Sundays, which she hopes will happen on 1 September.
A friendly and efficient service is offered
Although the plan was originally to have the buses run until midnight, at present they run until 8pm. She hopes to have them run until 9pm shortly. Smart cards will be introduced in January and February. At present passengers buy tickets at the station.
Another improvement will be to have buses indicate the next station. Audio and visual messages at the stations in future will also indicate when the next bus will be arriving.
The next phase of the system – from Noordgesig to Parktown – is under construction, and is expected to be rolled out in 2012. Future plans also include integrating the BRT with the Gautrain, taxis and Metrorail.
"Taxis offer a level of flexibility that BRT just can't," admits Moosajee. The ideal is to see public transport used together, putting pressure on private car users to leave their cars at home.
The vision of BRT sees some 122 kilometres of bus routes rolled out by 2013. That "remains do-able", she says. "The BRT helps make Joburg the city for the future. The vision is coming to fruition – we will have a people-centred transport system."
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