Getting around town will soon be quick and easy

RESIDENTS of Ekurhuleni will soon enjoy the convenience and affordability of the metro’s new state of the art public transport network.

By 2016, the metro’s Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) will have taken off.

The aim of this new integrated public transport service is to link Ekurhuleni’s nine separate towns, Kempton Park, Benoni, Alberton, Nigel, Brakpan, Edenvale, Springs, Boksburg and Germiston.

Travelling around parts of the metro will be more convenient because it will be affordable, reliable and much safer for road users, especially for people living with disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly, as it features universal access features that cater for people with special needs.

“This system is not just about the buses; it is about creating a better quality of life for the citizens of Ekurhuleni. By providing a reliable, affordable and accessible transport service we can ensure that our residents are spending more time with their families and less time on the road,” city mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, said.

The IRPTN will integrate new bus networks, including the BRT (bus rapid transit) system, existing bus services, revitalised rail networks, existing mini-bus taxi routes and a network of cycling paths and pedestrian walkways to help people move quickly and easily across the metro.

A vital aspect of the IRPTN, the BRT system, is a network of vehicles running along dedicated bus lanes on major roads. The BRT system consists of fleets of large buses and midi bus taxis operating along designated routes with state-of-the-art stations and stops.

All stakeholders involved in the project are on board, with public engagements and an environmental impact assessment already complete. A memorandum of understanding has also been signed with the pubic transport industry to ensure the municipality and the industry collaborate on the project.

“There’s a lot we want to do for the public transport industry in Ekurhuleni but we can’t do it alone. We are forging relationships with all stakeholders to ensure that we meet the needs of our taxpayers. All stakeholders, from scholars, businesses, people with special needs and public transport operators, are important to us; their views in what we do are of paramount importance,” said Yolisa Mashilwane, head of the transport planning and provision department in Ekurhuleni.

Not only will this new transport system cater for people’s needs with regards to convenient public transport, but it will also help boost the city’s economy by creating jobs. So far, the project has permanently employed over 1 000 people into positions such as bus drivers, bus operations at depots as well as people hired at the operations centre. This number excludes the labour at constructions sites.

“Ekurhuleni is developing its transport system to ensure that its infrastructure supports the long-term growth of its people and businesses. Access to integrated transport facilities that are safe, reliable, efficient and affordable will be one of the key factors that will boost our local economy.

“The IRPTN will ensure increased economic growth in the region via job creation and investment, which is no small task when one considers that the city’s unemployment rate is relatively high,” Mashilwane explained.

The construction, to be complete by 2016, will work in a phased approach and the initial construction phase will be completed under two contracts in the northern parts of Tembisa. The Phase 1 Route will include Phase 1A Tembisa to OR Tambo International Airport; Phase 1B OR Tambo International Airport to Boksburg and Phase 1C Boksburg to Vosloorus.

Construction has already started, including along Pretoria Road towards Hospital View in Tembisa and other parts of Tembisa, where there are upgraded roads, pavements and cycle path facilities. During 2015, the construction of other infrastructure elements such as the transport management centre, median bus stations, pedestrian bridges and a bus depot will begin.

Areas in Tembisa that are under construction at the moment are:

Complementary route between Tembisa Hospital and just north of Tembisa Civic Centre (4.2km). The area 1 route is along Rev RTJ Namane Drive to the intersection with Andrew Mapheto Drive, then along Andrew Mapheto Drive to the intersection with DM Marokane Drive. It is divided into Area 1A (2.1km: Tembisa Hospital to Brian Mazibuko Drive) and 1B (2.1km: balance of Area 1 route).

Complementary route continues from the intersection with DM Marokane Drive on Andrew Mapheto Drive up to the Tembisa Civic Centre.

The trunk route starts at Tembisa Civic Centre and follows Andrew Mapheto Drive up to the intersection with Rev RTJ Namane Drive. From the intersection, it continues until the intersection with Modderfontein Road. It is divided into Area 3A (Rev RTJ Namane Drive to Isimuku Street) and 3B (Isimuku Street to Modderfontein Road).

From the intersection with Modderfontein Road on Andrew Mapheto Drive into Zuurfontein Road to its intersection with the R25 (where Zuurfontein Road and CR Swart Drive diverge).

A service route between Kempton Park and Vosloorus, via OR Tambo International and Boksburg, will open in 2016, at the same time as the rest of the Phase 1A network. This will be operated as a regular bus route. Appropriate levels of infrastructure will be implemented to complement this stage of operation.

“Ekurhuleni’s ultimate aim is to create walkable, liveable cities that its residents and tourists can enjoy. The use of non-motorised transport also means less pollution,” says Mashilwane.

Watch below a video from the IRPTN media bus tour on December 2.