With the construction of the much-vaunted R2-billion Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system continuing apace in Johannesburg, is the city of gold finally realising a solution to its transport needs? Sello Mabotja investigates.

From early Monday to late Friday, the city of gold is a motor enthusiast’s haven, with columns of cars congesting most of the main roads in the city. Taxi-meter cabs, minibus- taxis, municipal buses and privately-owned motor vehicles all jostle for space in the streets of Johannesburg. It is the start of rush hour to work.

This legendary traffic congestion problem that plagues the city is akin to the plight of a body whose arteries and veins are clogged by that lethal compound - cholesterol. The heart slowly loses its beat, the blood no longer flows as fast as it should. The outcome to such a body is obvious.

So the question being asked: Is Jozi on the cusp of a panacea with the much-vaunted R2 billion Rea Vaya (meaning “We are moving”) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system?

Rehanna Mosajee, a member of the Johannesburg Mayoral Committee responsible for the transport portfolio, points out that when the new system comes into operation, it will have a massive and profound effect on the movement of people within the city and its growth patterns. She adds that it is also crucial to integrating and turning Jozi into a world class African city.

“This new public transport system is a high-quality bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, and cost-effective urban mobility through the provision of segregated right-of-way infrastructure, rapid and frequent operations, and excellence in marketing and customer services,” says Mosajee.

The BRT - to be complete by 2013 - will be implemented in three phases (see below for timeframe details). It has been successful in such cities as Bogota and Beijing, the capitals of Columbia and China respectively.

Some of the benefits that said to be associated with a BRT system include:

• An efficient, reliable and frequent public transport service.
• A safe and secure public transport system.
• An accessible public transport system for people with disabilities.
• A public transport system that runs 18 hours a day.
• A huge decrease in energy consumption and vehicle emissions.
• An enhanced urban environment.

Despite all its trumpeted virtues, however, the minibus-taxi proletariat is up in arms against the new system. Indeed, throwing a spanner in the works is the fact that the two stakeholders have a long history of acrimonious relations.

Talking to the spokesperson of the taxi industry shows how the two stakeholders are at cross purposes regarding the benefits that will accrue from this revolutionary public transport initiative.

Moreover, it also reveals the lingering and deep-seated distrust between the two parties, which started during the introduction of Government’s taxi recapitalization programme.

Ralph Jones, chairman of the United Taxi Association Forum (UTAF), an umbrella organization that represents taxi industry members that are opposed to the BRT, stresses that a lot of questions remain unanswered on the ownership of the new system as well as its modus operandi.

“We have been saying, we don’t understand, make us understand. What is the BRT? Who is going to own the BRT?”

Jones also accuses the Government of treachery in its implementation of the taxi recapitalization programme. The latter is a national programme introduced earlier at the turn of the century with the intention of ridding our streets of unroadworthy taxis.

“They told us they will take our old cars and give us R50 000 as a deposit for the new vehicles, but that never happened. The problem with the Government is that they like to start something they can’t finish.”

On the other hand, Mosajee is adamant that Government will stop at nothing to accelerate the pace of transformation in all facets of South African society.

“We are a democratically elected Government that rose to power by promising a better life for all. We will not be intimidated by anyone. If stakeholders are willing to engage on constructive dialogue, they are more than welcome. We must all make Rea Vaya a success. I am definitely sure it will succeed.”

She adds that some leaders in the taxi industry were taken on missions overseas to see how the BRT has changed the face of the cities there. Moreover, the economic benefits for the industry have been explained to them.

But then those who were part of the missions are now singing a different tune.

Phillip Taibosch, Treasurer of the South African National Taxi Association Corporation (SANTACO) calls for the re-negotiation of the BRT implementation process before the process can enjoy their support.

And fortunately, the president of the country, Jacob Zuma, promised to delay the implementation process with a view to making it more inclusive as well as catering for the concerns of the taxi industry.

Other cities are also keen on boarding the BRT system including eThekwini, Tshwane and Cape Town, and they too have already had to deal with the naked anger of the taxi industry.

Maybe more towns and cities will follow suit, should BRT prove a roaring success in Jozi. But the most important lesson to be drawn from the experience is that the introduction of any initiative, however benign, should be preceded by a broad consultation process with all the stakeholders.

Most importantly, it should be pointed out clearly how it promotes the vision of “a better life for all.”

Lately, the need for such an intervention has been recognised. This is why a blistering and aggressive marketing campaign specifically targeting the communities likely to benefit from the new system is underway. The company that has been commissioned to market BRT, candidly admits that the initiative has not been well promoted among the stakeholders.

While the head honchos tasked with making with BRT a reality of our lives bicker with other stakeholders, our plight is not getting any better.

The situation at sunset can only confirm this. It’s the start of rush hour again. Long, serpentine queues, form at taxi ranks in the afternoons and evenings. These are the shinning trademarks of the taxi industry’s shoddy customer service.

And like ravenous vultures descending on a carcass, multitudes of vehicles once again swarm across the streets of Jozi. But how long will it take the commuters to reach their desired destination and would fatigue not have taken its toll when they finally arrive?

For the public and the commuter in the city of Jozi, sunset and sunrise are not dissimilar.

THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT IN PERSPECTIVE: 

Phase 1:	To be completed by June 2009 in time for the Confederation Cup football tournament. It comprises 25.5 kms and 20 stations and runs from Soweto to Johannesburg.
Phase 2:	To be completed before June 2010 in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It comprises 86 kms and 102 stations.
Phase 3:	To be implemented by 2013 comprising 122 kms and 150 stations.