Rea Vaya was successfully launched on 30 August at Westgate station to much excitement.

The Minister of Transport and the Mayor of Johannesburg as well as the Gauteng Premier and other dignitaries were there to experience the inaugural bus rides and unveil the placque.

Commuters got to experience the Rea Vaya system for the first time and to buy their tickets for Monday's historic operations.

There was great excitement on the streets as the buses drove past with people hooting their horns and cheering and clapping.

The free rides from Thokoza Park to Ellis Park were very successful with full buses giving commuters a taste of World Class Public Transport for the first time!

Click here for Johannesburg Executive Mayor Amos Masondo's speech
Click here for Minister of Transport Sibusiso Ndebele's speech
Click here for a selection of photographs of Launch Day