The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has ticked all the right boxes again in the just-ended Transport Month.
It handed over the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange (JITI) for the long-distance and cross border commuters to be able to travel in safety and dignity.
The ongoing development of the Selby depot for Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses operating in Johannesburg and surroundings and currently under construction as well as stations along the Louis Botha Development Corridor.
“Transport is one of the investments that stimulate development and create jobs in the City of Johannesburg through several initiatives like BRT, JITI and the newly renovated Selby BRT depot facilitated by JDA on behalf of the City,” JDA acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sherylee Moonsamy explained.
“These projects are in line with the Joburg 2040 Growth and Development Strategy (GDS), the City of Johannesburg plans to lead in the establishment of sustainable and eco-efficient infrastructure solutions to create a landscape that is liveable, environmentally resilient, sustainable, and supportive of low-carbon economy initiatives for the city of gold residents to have a better life.”
The JDA, on behalf of the City’s Transport Department, has undertaken and implemented three projects to align with Transport Month:
BRT INFRASTUCTURE AND TECH
For Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System stations along Louis Botha Development Corridor, the JDA is the lead implementing agent in this project. The aim is to provide efficient public transport systems to and from Sandton CBD to the Joburg CBD.
The BRT system uses a rail like operation where buses run on dedicated bus lanes on the main trunk and complementary routes. These BRT stations have been through a City initiated naming process that involved the public and mainly ensured passengers have safe, fast, and affordable urban mobility with dedicated right-of-way infrastructure.
The Rea Vaya stations have a uniform configuration and design. Some of the stations’ features and technology include:
• Rapid level boarding and alighting to and from dedicated buses
• Pre-board fare collection and fare verification
• Enclosed are dedicated stations and intelligent technology systems
• Each station will have a system map, automatic doors on both sides of the station and the real-time information displays
• An elevator for wheelchair accessibility has been provided at the Watt Street interchange station. An enhanced environment with wheelchair friendly ace ramp, full weather protection on all platforms, telephones, security, and an information desk can be found in the rest of the stations.
• Each station has CCTV as part of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to improve passengers’ safety
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STATE OF THE ART JITI LOADEDSMART TECH
The recently handed-over, high tech Johannesburg International Transport Interchange (JITI), is an international long distance and cross border transport hub, packed with the latest technology to ensure commuter safety. After Park Station, this is a “state of the art” multi-modal transport interchange in sub-Saharan Africa, which is owned by the City.
The project received the buy-in from the Taxi Associations, meter taxis and Cross Boarder Buses, taxis, and Cross Boarder Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) are all in support of the development and operations.
The JITI has the following features:
• Retail stores may operate shorter hours
• Access management system through number plate recognition: No vehicle without a valid operating licence and vehicle fitness certificate will be allowed in the facility
• Pay stations for ranking and holding
• Destinations marked with static and electronic destination boards
• CCTV surveillance with analytics
• Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has access to CCTV footage and access to the control room
• Other Law enforcement agencies have a permanent presence at the facility – through the JMPD office
The JITI project, in line with the JDA’s economic empowerment programme, empowered SMMEs too:
• Total SMMEs employed on the project is 25
• Total SMME expenditure for the project was about R100 million
• A total expenditure of R 530 million since inception including professional fees, the piling contract and building work.
• The project created more than 900 jobs
SELBY DEPOT EQUIPPED WITH ITS CONTROL ROOM
The state-of-the-art Selby BRT Depot features an Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) control room which uses advanced information and communication technologies to help improve traffic management, improve safety and ultimately provide a more intelligent use of Rea Vaya transport networks.
Selby BRT Depot’s ITS control room will house 20 Rea Vaya BRT monitoring staff. The facility’s ICT network ensure communication between buses, stations and control room to enable bus scheduling, passenger information and incident management.
The Selby BRT depot is environmentally friendly and custom-made for Rea Vaya buses to service the City of Johannesburg and enhance Rea Vaya phase 1C operations.
