15 February 2010
Just six months since its launch, Johannesburg’s Bus Rapid Transit system, Rea Vaya, has announced an expansion of its routes, with new routes to be rolled out between March and May.
From 1 March, additional complementary services will run from Dobsonville in Soweto to the Johannesburg CBD and Ellis Park Station. Feeder services will transport passengers from Naledi to Thokoza Park Station, from Jabavu to Lake View Station, and from Mofolo to Boomtown Station, all in Soweto.
The final stage of phase 1A will be introduced on 3 May and will include complementary services from Dobsonville to Maponya Mall, in Soweto, and will also make use of feeder systems from Protea Glen to Thokoza Park Station and from Eldorado Park back to Thokoza Park Station.
The inner city distribution service will be re-introduced to link the trunk route with Braamfontein, the University of the Witwatersrand and Hillbrow. From this date, all service times will be extended and the last buses will depart at 10.40 pm. There will also be a Sunday service.
Buses will run at the same first and last bus times as the current starter service.
Fare increase
Fares will also go up from 1 March because of the extensions and improvements to the transit system. The trunk route service, now costing R5 a trip, will increase by a rand to R6 a trip; a trip on a feeder bus that connects to the trunk route then into the inner city will cost R9.50.
“We remain convinced that the fees are affordable compared to other modes [of transport] and represent excellent value for money,” said Johannesburg city councillor in charge of transport, Rehana Moosajee.
Tickets will be available from trunk route stations and from approved vendors near bus stops.
As the city awaits an influx of spectators for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, passengers have been assured that ticket prices will not change. Rea Vaya will be ready to transport an expected 20 000 spectators to the Soccer City and Ellis Park stadiums.
“We are convinced that we will be able to move spectators speedily and safely to the game and after the game has finished,” Moosajee said.
Source: City of Johannesburg
