Rea Vaya: We Are Going!

Posted: 25 Sep 2009

Related to: Johannesburg BRT System, Developing High-Quality, Low-Cost Mass Transit, South Africa
Contributed by: Aimee Gauthier, Claudia Gunter


Inside the Rea Vaya terminal
Photo Credit: Chris Kost/ITDP

In August, the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit system in Johannesburg, South Africa, began its starter service, fundamentally transforming public transit in the city.  Connecting Soweto to downtown, this is the first real public transit system that has been implemented since the end of apartheid.


Passengers wait to board Rea Vaya
Photo Credit: Chris Kost/ITDP

People who normally have to crowd into small minibuses now have enclosed stations with real time information displays to inform them when the next bus is coming. The system has opened to rave reviews. Click here to visit the Rea Vaya web site: http://www.reavaya.org.za/

Selected media coverage:

September 15, 2009
Rea Vaya Buses Record 16.000 Commuters Daily
All Africa
http://allafrica.com/stories/200909160156.html

September 1, 2009
“City Claims Rea Vaya a Success”
The Star
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=181&art_id=nw20090901181303828C113572

September 1, 2009
“Rea Vaya calls for change in habits”
The Star http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3102&art_id=vn20090901034840597C882034

August 31, 2009
MSNBC via Associated Press
Johannesburg gets public bus service
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32618233/ns/world_news-africa/

August 31, 2009
“S. Africa Starts Bus Service to Fix Apartheid Legacy”
Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aEyp5FB6WfHk

August 30, 2009
“Rea Vaya BRT”

News 24
http://www.news24.com/Content/SouthAfrica/News/1059/5dc6cd2643d7434ba48e125f52624c1d/30-08-2009%2010-13/Rea_vaya_BRT_