The revamp of the Selby bus depot in the Johannesburg inner city into a state-of-the-art Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) depot is steadily progressing after construction activities recommenced under lockdown Level 3.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Transport, is facilitating the construction of the Selby BRT in three phases.
The depot, which will service two Rea Vaya BRT operating companies, will be used for major and minor maintenance of buses by maintaining in-service buses and out of service buses. The centrally located depot will minimise dead mileage as well as minimise the time lost by buses in traffic congestion between depots and route starting points.
In 2013, the JDA developed the first depot in Meadowlands in Soweto. The Selby BRT depot is being revamped to be on par with the Meadowlands depot, which is environmentally friendly and custom-made for Rea Vaya buses.
Phase 2B construction of the bus depot workshops, refuelling garages, and Phase 2C; construction of the administration building is currently underway. The scope of works for Phase 2B includes extensive alterations, refurbishments and additions to an existing workshop building. This includes the construction of a new refuelling building, a new double-volume wash bay building, two new refuse buildings, a new gatehouse, civil works, storm water infrastructure, concrete paving panels with layer works, and mechanical and electrical installations.
Environmentally-friendly features include lights controlled by sensors; a robust, mild steel sheeting for the roof; and cladding to help with climate control, and a noise-wall barrier erected around the premises. The roof structures will also allow direct sunlight into the building to reduce the need for artificial lighting. Water is recycled for reuse in the buildings and the wash bay.
The scope of works for Phase 2C include the redevelopment and refurbishment of an existing administration building. This comprises: demolition works to various areas, the refurbishment of workshop areas construction of new canteen and gymnasium construction of new offices, administration rooms, boardrooms and storerooms; the construction of a new main foyer and reception areas and the refurbishment to courtyard spaces.
The construction of additional toilet blocks; new lifts to aid accessibility; service ducts new pedestrian and vehicular access with security offices, external works and the installation of electrical and mechanical will also form part of the scope of work.
Phase 2A, now complete, entailed the construction of the perimeter fence, bus parking area platform, site access road, main parking area driveway upgrade and the construction of the main entrance road into the depot (along the Pat Mbatha Road and Ignatius Street intersection).
Once completed, the Selby BRT depot, which was formerly used by Putco Bus Company, will accommodate up to 270 buses and feature an administration building, maintenance building, washing and refuelling bays and an Intelligent Transport System control centre. The administration block features ablution facilities, a canteen, offices and staff and visitors parking.
