rapid transit (BRT) system to Sandton central within the next two years.
Rea Vaya started operations in 2009, and already runs between Parktown, Doornfontein and Soweto.
“As the country’s financial hub, Sandton central attracts many people each day for business, tourism, shopping and pleasure,” said Sandton Central Management District city improvement district manager Elaine Jack.
“The infrastructure improvement to roads, pavements and public transport the BRT introduces, supports Sandton Central’s position at the forefront of well-managed CBDs.”
Sandton central will be a key destination in the R3-billion Phase 1C of Rea Vaya, which began construction in 2014. This phase is expected to add 245 new buses to the 277-bus fleet that already operating. Future plans for Phase 1C include joining the trunk route to Rosebank, Greenstone, Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge and Midrand.
The project also adds two new bridges across the M1 highway– one for BRT buses and pedestrians, the other for cyclists and pedestrians. It also includes widening Sandspruit bridge – the gateway to Sandton central on Katherine street, between Marlboro and Grayston drives. The bridge is being rebuilt and expanded from two lanes to six lanes, with the two centre lanes reserved for Rea Vaya. This project should be ready in September.
The new Rea Vaya infrastructure will also feature 30.5 km of walking and cycling paths and a dedicated cycle and walking path from Alexandra to Sandton.
Phase 1C will also have a number of interchanges with other public transport modes, such as the Gautrain stations in Sandton and Alexandra (Marlboro station).
