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Public transport holds the promise of a cleaner futureThe fuel-efficient Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system is set to change the lives of South African commuters while doing its bit for a greener environment.
The benefits of Rea Vaya (seSotho, meaning “we are going”) far outweigh the perceived drawbacks. It is part of Johannesburg’s Integrated Transport Plan, an initiative to raise the standard of the city’s public transport to fall in line with the global standard.
The system is a first for the country and for the southern African region.
Green transport
Not only will South African commuters now have a choice of transport to work, but the effects on the environment are not to be underestimated.
In the short term, the benefits include efficient and accessible service, affordable fares and easier traffic conditions. Medium-term benefits include job creation and enhanced social interaction for those who up until now have had no way of getting around, and in the long term Rea Vaya will contribute to economic development as well as reduced pollution and a better quality of life.
Described by the City of Johannesburg as the largest individual climate-change initiative ever undertaken by city management, Rea Vaya’s buses have efficient engines that run on low-sulphur fuel and emit less nitrous oxide and particulate matter, one of the primary causes of air pollution.
According to Rea Vaya, if 15% of people who drive to get into the city switched to BRT, this would save a massive 382 940 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, and an incredible 1.6 million tonnes a decade later. And there will be less traffic congestion.
Advanced vehicles
Rea Vaya is to be rolled out in three stages. Phase 1A, spanning 25.5 kilometres, is currently under way and is expected to be complete at the beginning of 2010. There are 40 smart red and blue buses currently operating, but upon completion of the initial phase, all 143 will be on the road.
The 86-kilometre phase 1B will follow later in 2010, and is expected to be fully complete by 2013. This will see the route wind through 150 stations along 122km of trunk, or main, roads. The trunk routes feature the largest buses, articulated and able to carry 112 passengers each. These vehicles will travel only in the dedicated bus lanes and will stop at the Rea Vaya stations.
Complementary buses have a capacity of up to 75 passengers and will be able to pick up passengers not only from Rea Vaya stations, but also from regular bus stops.
The feeder buses, with a capacity of 32 passengers, will bring commuters to the trunk routes from outlying areas.
All buses are wheelchair-friendly.
With the system running between 5 a.m. and midnight, passengers will be able to catch a bus every three minutes in peak times and every 10 minutes during off-peak periods.
Rea Vaya has an on board global positioning system that will keep vehicles to a tight schedule by monitoring the exact position of a bus and advising the driver to slow down or speed up where necessary.
Smooth running
The initial service runs just over 25km, from Lakeview station in Soweto, to Ellis Park station in the city. Tickets cost between R3 and R8 a trip.
Rea Vaya carries an average of 8 000 passengers per day. It is envisioned that taxi operators will make up the bulk of the planned bus operating company to own and manage Rea Vaya.
Integrated transport
Rea Vaya is designed to blend with other forms of transport, such as the Gautrain rapid rail system.
Gautrain is currently in an advanced state of construction, with stations and viaduct construction well under way. It is expected to bring economic growth to the province through job creation, less traffic congestion and stress, and a reduction in costs of road accidents and the accompanying loss of productivity.
It will also bring added convenience and reliability for commuters, as well as a far lower carbon footprint. The expected saving in carbon emissions is around 70 000 tonnes per year.
Ample choice
With Metrorail’s Tshwane Business Express, the Gautrain, the BRT, Metrobus, and taxis, commuters will have ample choice in their modes of transport.
Joburg’s RideSmart campaign, which encourages people to join a lift club, is also up and running. Drivers or passengers are listed in a database and are matched with others in their area.
The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project is upgrading and widening the province’s network of freeways, and introducing an electronic toll-collection system.
Janine Erasmus
MediaClubSouthAfrica.com
