Rhodesfield business owners frustrated with BRT

Business owners in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, are expressing frustration and concern over the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system project, which has significantly affected the access to their properties.

The project, intended to improve public transportation, has instead left local businesses struggling to survive.
Ahmed Lombard, a local business owner, shared his concerns.

“The road closure at the corner of Mars Street and Catalina Avenue has severely affected our business.

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“One tenant has already left, and another is considering doing the same because of the closure.”

Lombard also mentioned that, despite claims from the council, they did not consult with property owners about the project.

The roadworks have turned Catalina Avenue, once a two-way street connecting to Mars, into a dead-end one-way street.

Business owners are seeking clarity on the future, but the council has not provided a plan or evidence of consultation.

Konrad Brummer and Andre Dave echoed these frustrations, stating the city has not consulted with property owners about the road closure in the past two.

“We are forced to use alternative routes through residential areas where children often play, and large trucks, which are not allowed on these roads, also use them,” said Brummer.

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He added the municipality claimed to have informed them but has yet to provide proof.

“It has been three months since we asked for the register, and they still cannot find it.”

Another affected business owner, Adelle Nel, noted this was not the first time the municipality had undertaken projects without proper notification.

“Seven years ago, they dug up Harvard Street without informing us.

“We could not access our properties for six months. Now, with the BRT project, they’ve closed Catalina, and we are struggling to survive,” Nel said.

Her car sales have dropped significantly because of the lack of access, going from 15 cars a month to as low as zero.

JMB Motors owner Thabo Ganamontse shared similar concerns.

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“The system is blocking our customers from accessing our business.

“We just want the same access provided to other motor dealerships on the opposite side,” he said, adding the dust accumulation from the roadworks forces them to clean cars weekly.

Business owner Nicko Smit expressed uncertainty about the project’s status, as they did no work in October.

He also mentioned a new settlement dubbed ‘Pipe Street’, where people are living inside construction pipes, raising security concerns.

“This project seems to be stalled, and road closures have made it difficult for us to operate,” Smit said.

“If cars remain unsold, I still have to pay employees and cover expenses like rates, taxes, and rent.”

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Zweli Dlamini, the spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), confirmed the construction was part of the city’s Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) Unit’s road infrastructure development, aimed at building a 0.76km BRT road with dedicated bus lanes.

He explained stakeholder engagement, including consultation with affected businesses, is a legal requirement before construction begins.

“A Community Liaison Officer (CLO) was responsible for notifying affected businesses before the works commenced,” said Dlamini.

The BRT project is 95% complete, with road construction finished and signage removed.

The remaining tasks involve operationalising traffic lights, with full completion expected by the end of November 2024.

“The primary goal of the BRT project in Ekurhuleni is to improve public transportation by providing an efficient, reliable, and affordable transit system,” he said.

Dlamini added key objectives include enhancing mobility, improving accessibility to economic and social hubs, and promoting sustainable transport.

“Currently, upgrades to Pretoria Road are underway to create dedicated bus lanes as part of the Harambee BRT initiative.”

Dlamini said that the city is in consultation with the affected businesses and is awaiting approval from the Roads and Stormwater Department regarding alternative access proposals.