The City of Johannesburg is taking a major step towards cleaner and more sustainable public transport with the launch of an electric bus technology trial on Thursday, 3 September 2026. The pilot programme, led by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Cllr Kenny Kunene, is being implemented in partnership with C40 Cities, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in South Africa.
The launch will take place at the Metrobus Milpark Depot, corner of Raikes Road and Torrance Street, Braamfontein, from 10h00 to 12h00.
The 30- to 60-day trial will assess electric bus technologies under real-world Johannesburg operating conditions. Selected buses will be deployed on Metrobus and Rea Vaya BRT Phase 1C(a) routes, operating alongside the existing fleet to ensure that commuters continue to receive uninterrupted services.
The trial will evaluate battery-electric technology, energy consumption, fleet reliability, maintenance requirements, intelligent transport systems and overall life-cycle costs. Passenger experience will also be assessed, including accessibility, comfort and safety, as well as the potential to reduce noise and vehicle emissions.
The buses will operate on high-demand corridors, including routes in Soweto, Sandton, the CBD and Roodepoort, as well as the Rea Vaya Phase 1C(a) route serving communities across Berea, Yeoville, Orange Grove, Norwood, Alexandra, Marlboro and Sandton, among others.
All trial buses will be integrated into Metrobus's Fleet Management System, Control Centre and Automatic Vehicle Location system, allowing their performance to be independently monitored and verified.
“This pilot is a strategic intervention to ensure that future fleet recapitalisation decisions are evidence-based, not speculative. Johannesburg cannot continue to buy buses the old way. We must test, measure and prove what works best for our routes, passengers, sustainability and climate goals," said Cllr Kunene.
The initiative forms part of the City's broader Green Transport and Climate Action agenda and supports efforts to modernise public transport, improve operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of mobility.
The City says the partnership with global industry leaders will also support local job creation, skills development and technology transfer.
“This initiative is a critical step in implementing the City's Strategic Integrated Transport Plan, ensuring that every rand invested in public transport delivers measurable value for our commuters. By partnering Metrobus as our municipal operator and with global OEMs, we are creating a living laboratory on our own streets. We are testing cleaner propulsion, smarter ITS Systems and safer operations in real conditions", said Lutando Maboza, Executive Director, Transport Department.
01/09/2026
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