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News Archive November 2010 Neighbours tour Rea Vaya
| Neighbours tour Rea Vaya |
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| Wednesday, 24 November 2010 |
Officials from Ekurhuleni came to Joburg to learn more about how the City set up its successful Rea Vaya, with its own BRT in mind.
DELEGATES from Ekurhuleni, Joburg’s eastern neighbour, came to experience Rea Vaya first-hand and learn more about it as they will be implementing a similar system over the next three years. 
Discussing Rea Vaya’s objectives, achievements and plans
The group, which visited on 19 November, consisted of Ekurhuleni’s portfolio head for roads, public transport and civil works, Thebe Themba; city councillors; and representatives of the taxi industry.
“Problems will invariably occur. Our challenge lies in finding solutions to these and committing ourselves to the commuters and their needs.” The morning was spent at the offices of the Johannesburg Roads Agency discussing Rea Vaya’s objectives, achievements and plans. There was a particular focus on the City’s engagement with the taxi industry, negotiations between the two parties, and the handover of all operations to a bus operating company run by the taxi industry, which will soon be taking place. Two members of the BRT Joburg Taxi Industry Steering Committee, Sicelo Mabaso, the chairman of Top Six Taxi Management; and Eric Motswane, the chairman of the Greater Regional Taxi Council; made a presentation detailing how the taxi industry and Rea Vaya could work together for the benefit of the commuter. They are 
Sicelo Mabaso, chairman of Top Six Taxi Management, details the taxi industry’s involvement Moosajee stressed the importance of public transport and the co-operation of the different sectors and systems, saying: “Our vision for transport in Johannesburg is for it to be centred [on] the user, be it bus, taxi or train.” Later in the day, the visitors were taken on a tour of some Rea Vaya stations, on a Rea Vaya bus. The tour included the route between the CBD and Orlando Stadium in Soweto, and was conducted by Charles Block, Rea Vaya's director of infrastructure. Themba was very happy with all that he had learned. “This conference has provided us with an opportunity to learn from Johannesburg,” he said. “We can only hope to emulate the way MMC Moosajee has handled the BRT system here. I am certain that when we return we will do so with stories of success.”
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