Bus Rapid Transit gets going

Liezl Heidtmann

Residents of the city can look forward to a rapid, high quality, affordable, and convenient public transport system in 2014, which promises to boost the economy and connect the city like never before.

This is according to Executive Mayor, Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

Construction of the Tshwane Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has begun last week and, if all goes according to plan, should be entirely completed and operational by October 2015.

The first phase, stretching from Nana Sita Street (formerly Skinner Street) in the CBD to the suburb of Hatfield, will be operational in April 2014. In total, 51 stations will be built, from Kopanong in Soshanguve to Mamelodi (80km of road).

The city’s BRT system will be integrated in partnership with existing public transport facilities, which will ferry passengers to and from BRT stations, improving efficiencies and impact for residents, says Ramokgopa.

He also said that the BRT will not rob anyone of their livelihood, referring to taxi drivers. “This system will make millionaires of some people, and we will undermine the apartheid specialities with this project.”

The municipality says the BRT system will use about 154 buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus. According to them the benefits BRT passengers can expect are reduced travel times between home, work, retail and social destinations, with improvements in traffic congestion and road safety. “The number of traffic accidents is likely to reduce, and those that do occur will have less of an impact on traffic flow.”

At peak times, trunk services will operate every three to five minutes, with feeder services every 15 minutes.

Residents who are worried about the carbon footprint of this system can rest assured since the buses will comply with the latest European emission standards to reduce carbon footprint.

All buses will be low floor, allowing ease of access for children, elderly, and people with disabilities.

The new bus network, if implemented successfully, will help to lay a foundation for inner city revival, attracting business back into the CBD.