 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
News Archive November 2011 Mascot meets his public
| Mascot meets his public |
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 10 November 2011 |
The Rea Vaya mascot was introduced to staff and customers, and upgrades to the Phase 1B buses and Rea Vaya systems were explained.
A drawing submitted by the winner of the mascot design competition
THE energetic RV – the new Rea Vaya mascot – is finally out and about meeting and greeting staff and commuters at stations.
RV met his public for the first time on 9 November, at a Look-and-Feel event held at Westgate Station. He was an instant hit with children and station staff, who gladly posed for pictures. He also handed out sweets.
In his own words, RV said he was happy and excited to finally be in existence. RV will be attending Rea Vaya events and promoting the public transport project.
Not only did RV meet station staff and commuters, though; he also met his maker. Jimmy Ramokgopa conceptualised and designed the mascot. The two shook hands and everyone burst into laughter when Ramokgopa asked for RV's name.
"It is an honour to see my work being used like this," Ramokgopa said. "I really am grateful and would like to thank and commend Rea Vaya for their great services." LOOK-AND-FEELCommuters and stakeholders were also brought up to speed on changes planned for the buses and stations for Phase 1B, which will start operating in 2012.
Jimmy Ramokgopa who conceptualised and designed RV, with the City's portfolio head of transport, Rehana Moosajee
These include heaters in buses, luggage racks above seats, windows positioned higher for improved airflow, improved wheelchair areas for easier access, and cameras fitted for drivers to ensure that passengers have safely boarded before departing.
More upgrades are automated access gates for fast entry to stations, a monthly newsletter to provide feedback and keep passengers updated on developments, and an SMS service to commuters, which started operating on 1 November.
Passengers were asked to submit their comments and preferences regarding the upgrades, with a number of prizes on offer – a CD player, digital camera and Lenovo laptop were won.
Clifford Legodi, who won the camera, came to the station to collect his prize. Another commuter Mzwandile Tsala won a laptop.
He was very excited and grateful to win. He said he did not think Rea Vaya should change anything because he was happy with the service. However, he suggested that more buses should be added during peak hours. NEWSLETTERThe transport portfolio head, Rehana Moosajee, was on hand to note all the additional suggestions that people made. She also launched the official Rea Vaya newsletter, On the Move, which will be published every second month.
The newsletter will give passengers information about latest developments and supply feedback on their queries, suggestions and compliments.
"We have come a long way since 30 August 2009," Moosajee said. "Today, as you stand in a Rea Vaya station, you can see buses coming from Thokoza Park going to Ellis Park and from Ellis Park to Thokoza Park."
She reminded people that though the stations were run by the City and the buses by PioTrans, they belonged to the residents of Joburg. She ended by rebuking private car users and taxi drivers for driving on designated Rea Vaya lanes, which resulted in delays and buses getting stuck in traffic.
Moosajee called on the Johannesburg metro police department and the South African Police Service to ensure that drivers of private cars using these lanes were dealt with harshly.
Related stories: |
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
