Rea Vaya acquires 68 buses from Gautrain in bid to enhance services
The Bus Rapid Transit system relies on internationally sourced vehicles custom-built for its stations, complicating its efforts to buy new vehicles and challenging its plans to expand routes and strengthen its fleet.
Picture: X/ReaVayaBus
JOHANNESBURG - In a bid to enhance services, bus company Rea Vaya has acquired 68 buses from the Gautrain service’s bus fleet.
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system relies on internationally sourced vehicles custom-built for its stations.
This has complicated efforts to buy new vehicles, challenging its plans to expand routes and strengthen its fleet.
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Despite significant challenges, including the business rescue of its parent company, Piotrans, the City of Johannesburg remains confident that Rea Vaya is on track to reclaim its title as Africa’s leading BRT system.
Although the system should have more than 500 buses after three phases of development, the current fleet stands at just over 300.
City of Johannesburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene said the additional 68 buses will be operational by April 2025.
“We should be having 68 buses operational by April. So, by April we should be having the buses operational on 1CA [phase 1 of the bus expansions].”
Kunene assured that the project is already underway, with the deadline firmly set for early 2025.