The fuel-efficient Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system, launched in Johannesburg on 30 August 2009, is set to change the lives of South African commuters while doing its bit for a greener environment.

Although the media focus has been largely on the ruffled feathers and strident protests of the minibus taxi industry, which fears major job losses, the benefits of Rea Vaya (seSotho, meaning 'we are going') far outweigh the perceived drawbacks.

Rea Vaya is part of Johannesburg's Integrated Transport Plan, an initiative to raise the standard of the city's public transport to fall in line with the global standard.

The system is a first not only for the country, but also for the Southern African region. Meanwhile, Cape Town, Tshwane and Port Elizabeth are implementing their own BRT systems.

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup mere months away, the four cities, which all host a number of games, are ensuring that visitors will be able to get around quickly and easily.

Green transport

Not only will South African commuters now have a choice of transport to work, but the effects on the environment are not to be underestimated.

In the short term the benefits include efficient and accessible service, affordable fares and easier traffic conditions. Medium term benefits include job creation and enhanced social interaction for those who up till now have had no way of getting around, and in the long term Rea Vaya will contribute to economic development as well as reduced pollution and a better quality of life.

All of these factors add up to the development of a world-class public transport system.

Described by the City of Johannesburg as the largest individual climate-change initiative ever undertaken by city management, Rea Vaya's buses have efficient engines that run on low-sulphur fuel and emit less nitrous oxide and particulate matter, one of the primary causes of air pollution.

According to Rea Vaya, if just 15 percent of people who would normally use their cars to get into the city switch to BRT, this will save a massive 382 940 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, and an incredible 1.6 million tons a decade later.

Less traffic congestion

And hard-pressed Johannesburg drivers will feel the relief in the form of less traffic congestion.

Speaking at a public transport summit held in August 2009, Johannesburg's executive mayor Amos Masondo said that 47 percent of commuters travelled by public transport. This figure is further broken down into 72 percent travelling by minibus taxi, 14 percent by train, and nine percent by bus.

Rea Vaya is to be rolled out in three stages. Phase 1A, spanning 25.5 kilometres, is currently underway and is expected to be complete at the beginning of 2010. There are 40 smart red and blue buses currently operating but by completion of the initial phase, all 143 will be on the roads.

The 86 kilometres phase 1B will follow later in 2010, and the phase is expected to be fully complete by 2013. This will see the route wind through 150 stations along 122 kilometres of trunk, or main, roads.

The trunk routes feature the largest buses, articulated and able to carry 112 passengers each. These vehicles will travel only in the dedicated bus lanes and will stop at the Rea Vaya stations.

All buses are wheelchair-friendly

Complementary buses have a capacity of up to 75 passengers and will be able to pick up passengers not only from Rea Vaya stations, but also from bus stops on the pavement.

The feeder buses, with a capacity of 32 passengers, will bring commuters to the trunk routes from outlying areas. All buses are wheelchair-friendly.

With the system running between 5am and midnight, passengers will be able to catch a bus every three minutes in peak times and every 10 minutes during off-peak periods.

For those worried about the infamous tardiness of buses the world over, it may help to know Rea Vaya has an on-board global positioning system that will keep vehicles to a tight schedule by monitoring the exact position of a bus and advising the driver to slow down or speed up where necessary.

The initial service runs just over 25 kilometres, from Lakeview station in Soweto, to Ellis Park station in the city. Tickets cost between R3 and R8 a trip.

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