The city of Rustenburg sent a group of officials to study Rea Vaya in the run-up to its own transformed public transport system, Rustenburg Rapid Transport.

MMC Rehana Moosajee had words of encouragement for Rustenburg

VISITORS from Rustenburg, in North West Province, who were on a public transport study in Joburg, were fascinated by Rea Vaya.

They were in town to gather information and advice in anticipation of setting up their own Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The delegation comprised 40 taxi operators from various associations and Rustenburg city officials, who are partners in driving transformation in the public transport sector.

Rehana Moosajee, the member of the mayoral committee for transport, accompanied by the Eric Motshwane, the director of corporate affairs for PioTrans, the bus operating company, and experts involved in setting up Rea Vaya, orientated the delegation.

The tour, on 14 November, began at the Rea Vaya bus depot, which is still being built. From there, they took a short trip on a Rea Vaya bus from Thokoza Park to West Gate stations, getting off at the offices of the Johannesburg Development Agency. Here they listened to expert presentations by officials from the transport department and PioTrans.

To conclude the day's activities, Moosajee hosted the group at a farewell dinner at the Rosebank Crown Plaza Hotel, where they discussed the lessons of the day.

TRANSFORMATION

Speaking at the dinner, the portfolio head of transport in the Rustenburg municipality, Happy Serongoane, said the study had motivated them to go back home and work hard towards realising their dreams of transforming the transport system for the better.

Portfolio head of transport in Rustenburg Happy Serongoane

"If the City of Johannesburg can do it, it is certainly possible for us to make our dream a reality. We are confident that the Rustenburg Rapid Transport [RRT] will transform the lives of the people of Rustenburg."

Serongoane said a partnership between the government and public transport operators would play a crucial role in the success of the RRT. "Government alone will not make it; we need experienced people such as the taxi operators, who have the skill to run the industry."

Johannesburg had proved that it was possible. "The transformation road map for our local operators is both exciting and daunting, but it is with the advice and open sharing of information that we hope to set an example for other medium-sized African cities in future," Serongoane emphasised.

Equally enthusiastic about the transformation of public transport was Serame Sebego, the chairperson of the Northern Regional Taxi Council and a taxi operator in Rustenburg. "We have to make it work. If PioTrans can partner with the City of Johannesburg and work well, we can also work with our own government to bring the dream to life."

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Moosajee encouraged the Rustenburg delegates to soldier on in spite of the difficulties that they may encounter on the way. "The fact that you came here is a big step on its own and a step further towards your goal of building and integrated your public transport system," she said.

Darko Skrbinsek from FOT Consulting is involved in the construction of Phase 1B

"It is not going to be easy travelling this road, but with hard work and dedication, it can guarantee that you will be able launch the RRT."

Johannesburg could only help with providing advice were possible. "You have to travel this road on your own. Do it for the citizens of Rustenburg, who are desperate for better transport system that is safe and secure," explained Moosajee.

Darko Skrbinsek, of FOT Consulting, a company that is involved in the construction of Rea Vaya's Phase 1B, said that what mattered most was having the correct implementation process in order. "Rustenburg and Johannesburg are two different cities," he said. "I am sure the delegates will take with them what works for them."

He reckoned that a public-private partnership would help Rustenburg a great deal. "When everyone has to share the same vision, it is easier to make this work."

The RRT is a flagship of the national government and was officially launched In July by the deputy minister of transport, Jeremy Cronin. It is in the planning and design phase. Some R3-billion is expected to be invested in the project over the next four years to deliver a transformed public transport service by 2015.

The project will include BRT corridors and the construction of dedicated bus routes and feeder routes. The Rustenburg group will continue its study in Cape Town.

Source: Joburg.org.za