2010-03-16:Rea Vaya expansion running well despite ‘first day’ challenges
The first day of the new, extended Rea Vaya bus service, was a success, despite attempts to disrupt the service and isolated incidents of violence and vandalism.
The situation in Soweto where railway tracks were blocked, bus stops vandalised and commuters intimidated returned to normal by midday and 19 people were arrested and will be charged on various counts of public violence.
Councillor Rehana Moosajee, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, says the Rea Vaya even though under pressure showed that it can handle an increased volume of passengers.
Both the new feeder routes transporting passengers from the suburbs to the Rea Vaya stations as well as the main-line routes connecting Soweto with the Johannesburg CBD were working well and all the buses were full.
“We experienced some initial ‘first-day’ challenges but, in the broader context, the success of the service demonstrated the need that existed for a rapid bus service to move passengers safely and effectively across our city,” says MMC Moosajee.
“A big city such as Johannesburg requires a mixture of complementary modes of transport – trains, rapid buses, taxis and private transport. It is the right of the commuter to choose which service he or she want to use.
“Nobody should deny them this right – and the City and the law enforcement agencies will do all possible to protect them when they exercise their rights,” she says.
MMC Moosajee thanked commuters for their patience and courage to continue using Rea Vaya. “We initially experienced long queues at the BRT stations because of disruptions to other transport services.
However, our passengers remained calm and sent out clear messages that they will not be intimidated by threats of violence,” says Ms Moosajee.
She also paid tribute to the SAPS, JMPD, Public Safety officers, private security and all security agencies who provided protection to drivers, commuters and property by taking strong action against vandals andintimidators.
The new services introduced today include a main-line route running directly from Dobsonville to the Johannesburg CBD and Ellis Park Station as well as feeder services transporting passengers from Naledi to Thokoza Park Station, from Jabavu to Lake View Station and from Mofolo to Boomtown Station.
Councillor Moosajee said the gradual extension of the service also demonstrates the opportunities that are opening up for the city’s partners in the taxi industry who have been part of Rea Vaya since the planning phases.
“There are still some organisations within the taxi sector that remain outside the process but our doors remain open. We welcome input from all stakeholders, ranging from taxi associations, commuter organizations and communities,” she says.
Under the skilful guidance of the experienced negotiation facilitators like Charles Nupen, Peter Harris and Tefo Raditapole, we believe all concerns about Rea Vaya can be resolved.
The next phase of Rea Vaya will be introduced on 3 May 2010. This will include an additional complementary service directly from Dobsonville to Maponya Mall and feeder services from Protea Glen to Thokoza Park Station and from Eldorado Park to Thokoza Park Station.
A CBD distribution service will be reintroduced to link the trunk services with Braamfontein, Wits University and Hillbrow. From 3 May all service times will be extended and the last buses will depart at 22:40. Sunday services will also be introduced on all routes. The feeder and complementary buses will stop at over 170 bus stops along the routes.
This is in addition to the trunk route (T1) service that began on 30th August 2009, commencing at Thokoza Park in Soweto, running 25.5 kilometres to Ellis Park, north-east of the CBD and utilising 23 stations en route.
Ends
To find out more about this Rea Vaya BRT press release, please contact:
Lisa Seftel , lisas@joburg.org.za
Tel 011 870 4511 for the City ofJohannesburg’s Transportation Department
Nthatisi Modingoane, nthatisem@joburg.org.za
011 407 7354 for theCity’s Media Liaison Department
Nthatisi Modingoane
Deputy Director: Communications
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Tel: (011) 407 7354
Fax: 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za
