FAST, MODERN AND CONVENIENT BUSES FOR GAUTENG’S CONGESTED CITIES

A new type of bus system for the cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane will bring modern, frequent and fast public transport to these heavily congested cities. Used successfully in many cities all over the world, such systems will be running in a number of key corridors of these two cities by 2010.

These new municipal buses are called a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system. Although not always identical in its application in cities throughout the world, BRT systems have the following characteristics:

• Buses on so-called trunk routes are run on bus lanes physically separated from road lanes used by other traffic. The bus lanes are often located in the middle of the road next to the median.
• Buses on bus lanes get priority at intersections through traffic light settings, to enable faster travel times.
• Bus services are operated at high frequencies with trips often less than five minutes. Operating hours cover most of the day.
• Passengers get onto buses by using enclosed and elevated stops to enable quick and convenient access. Bus stops are mostly spaced less than 500m along routes through urban areas.
• Tickets are purchased on/or validated at entrances to the enclosed stops and not on buses. This speeds up boarding and limit dwell times of buses at stops.
• Complementary feeder bus services are operated to trunk bus routes. Bus stops are designed in such a way that ‘across platform’ transfers within enclosed stops are possible between feeder and trunk services and vehicles.

These high capacity bus systems will benefit commuters in the following ways:

• Either bringing relief to traffic congestion or adding to the number of people that could be transported within a specific corridor. These buses can quickly transport many passengers at a time.
• Stations will feature ticketing machines, pedestrian overpasses for commuters to reach the stations and real-time travel information displays. Larger stations will offer park-and-ride facilities, drop-off zones, bike parking, information kiosks, metered-taxi ranks, and bathroom facilities.
• Enclosed stations will have high security features.
• Security surveillance on buses and stations.
• Contactless electronic ticketing at station access gates. It decreases boarding times and add to the convenience of using the bus services.
• In future, a single automated electronic ticketing system will be used for all modes of public transport across Gauteng.
• Commuters from low-income areas have equal access to economically active regions as BRT bus routes will service townships.
• Commuters will be able plan their trips accurately and seamlessly switch between BRT buses and Gautrain. Routes and timetables will be co-ordinated.
• New town planning strategies will limit car access to high-density areas and instead use public spaces for wide boulevards lined with landscaped pavements. Bus transport will become more important.
• Suburbs are becoming high-density areas which will bring bus stops within walking distance for commuters.
• When exchanging private cars for buses, greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced.
• As these buses are co-ordinated with Gautrain, commuters will enjoy door-to-door transport convenience.

With integrated, reliable and safe public transport becoming a reality, social economic development spin-offs will have sustainable long-term economic benefits for the Province.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_rapid_transit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_rapid_transit