R400m facelift for central Joburg transport hub
More formally known as the Kazerne Intermodal Transport Facility, the hub will integrate local and regional transport, which includes long-distance and cross-border taxis plying between Johannesburg and several Southern African countries.
New Rea Vaya routes will be established to areas currently not serviced by the City of Johannesburg's bus rapid transport system.
Residents of Alexandra, Wynberg, Orange Grove and Sandton will be serviced by 150 dedicated Rea Vaya buses by October 2018.
The member of the Johannesburg mayoral committee on transport, Nonhlanhla Makhuba, said construction of the hub would be completed by next June.
Minimising distances
She said it would minimise the distance pedestrians walked to reach different forms of transport.
"We are addressing the ill effects of the past and implementing programmes that link residents to economic opportunities and bring quality public transport services closer to the people."
She said the facility would also ease the plight of the poor and the construction of the new Rea Vaya routes would create jobs.
Makhuba said that by September there would be a dedicated public transport loop around the Sandton business district.
"This should make it easier for commuters using buses and minibus taxis to end or start their journey in Sandton," she said.
Source: The Times