Johannesburg's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station was officially launched yesterday in Joubert Park by transport minister Jeff Radebe.
Addressing media and guests Radebe said, "In a few short years there will be up to 150 of these stations running all the way from Soweto to Sunninghill and from Alexandra to Roodepoort."
He said the system, known as "Rea Vaya", a Sotho name meaning "we are going", was crucial to the success of South Africa's transport system.
"Without a good bus service that is accessible, affordable and attractive to a broad range of people across society, local transport simply cannot work."
Around two million bus trips are made in the country each day, which means that only 30 percent of all public transport journeys are made on buses. As a result, Radebe said, bus travel was high on Government's agenda.
"The flexibility of bus services makes them vital for the Government in its aim to achieve a number of wider objectives ... that is why we provide R 2.8 billion in bus subsidy per annum for about 8,000 buses," he said.
"Our ambition is to exploit the full potential of the bus service in every part of our cities."
Rea Vaya was implemented by the City of Johannesburg as a core component of the public transport strategy that was approved by the Cabinet in March 2007. It is a flagship project for both the 2009 and 2010 Fifa soccer tournaments, said Radebe, adding that Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane were not far behind in finalising their own station prototype designs.
"I believe that a strong foundation for a more successful bus service has been established. But if we're to get the full potential out of the system, we need a step change in the way we think about buses today," said Radebe.
He said the taxi industry would also have its fair share in the initiative as it would be operating BRT buses.
"This will graduate the taxi industry into public transport operators. They will be reimbursed based on kilometers operated as opposed to the number of passengers."
Phase 1A of the BRT System is expected to complete by May 2009. This will include a 40km route through Johannesburg's city centre, 20 state-of-the art bus stations, 143 new buses, and a smart card system for commuters, giving Johannesburg's commuters a real test taste of world-class public transport.
Phase 1B will add another 86 km and 102 stations to the system ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup
Sapa / SAGN
