Free rides to mark BRT opening

Shine2010 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:16:00 GMT

Commuters travelling on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on the day it is launched will be allowed free rides, the City of Johannesburg said on Wednesday.

The free rides will be once-off celebratory incentives for 30 August only, Joburg Mayor Amos Masondo said in a statement.

"I am happy to announce that on August 30 we will be celebrating the first day of BRT operation. The residents and citizens of Johannesburg are invited to share this historic moment by taking a ride on Rea Vaya (Johannesburg's BRT system) free of charge," Masondo said.

The first phase of the new transporting system, scheduled to run from Regina Mundi church in Soweto to Ellis Park, is expected to start running from August 30.

A summit and a public meeting are planned for this weekend in Nasrec and Thokoza Park in Soweto to inform the public about the BRT. The summit, which will be held at the Nasrec Expo Centre on Saturday, will offer information about the new system.

On Sunday, a fun day will be held in Thokoza Park in Rockville, Soweto to educate commuters and residents along the Rea Vaya routes about how the system will work.

Masondo said the city would close off lanes dedicated to the buses in preparation for the "big day", and Johannesburg metro police would monitor compliance.

"Only the BRT buses will be allowed to use those lanes. We appeal to the public to co-operate with us in this regard. Let's get used to the reduction of road space and start using public transport," he said.

Processes were under way to recruit staff for the BRT business unit, and a project manager would be appointed by 1 September, Masondo said.

Source: SouthAfrica.info

Image source: Rea Vaya

2010 Good News : BRT, new transporting system

Free rides to mark BRT opening