The City anticipates the Rea Vaya Transit system [BRT] to create hundreds of sustainable jobs and improve household incomes for Region E residents especially from Alexandra.
This is according to project documentation and announcements made at the recent launch of the construction of a cycle and pedestrian bridge across the M1 freeway linking Alexandra and Sandton.
The system started in 2006 and completed transport networks linking Soweto and parts of the West Rand with the City are said to provide fast, safe, reliable and affordable public transport. The first phase which concentrates on the bus transport improvement is proceeding in Alexandra together with the second phase which concentrates on cycle, pedestrian and truck routes to integrate into the system with other transport modes like minibus taxis.
Alex and the region are expected to benefit from the system through 16kms of dedicated bus lanes, 30.5kms of sidewalks and cycle lanes with 5km walk and cycle paths between No 3 Square and Sandton, a state-of-the-art public transport interchange for buses and minibus taxis near Pan Africa Mall, park and ride facilities into Sandton to reduce traffic congestion and an integrated transport plan which fuses the BRT, Metro Bus and minibus taxis for the convenience of commuters. Also, some roads will be changed to one way roads to improve traffic flow.
From this collective infrastructural development, the City expects to create 5 700 jobs during the construction and that for every job created, another two will emerge in the cement, iron and steel industry. Five hundred jobs will be created in bus operating companies and unfortunately displacing some in the taxi industry. 1000 jobs for ambassadors, marshals, cashiers, cleaning and security at stations and interchanges will be created. They also foresee more being created with the growth of the stations and also from retail businesses which are anticipated to mushroom. Those who will become redundant after the constructions are expected have acquired skills to their advantage when seeking other job opportunities.
Details: Rea Vaya; 011 688 7851.
