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Johannesburg is so huge, knowing how to get around is vital to residents and visitors alike.
JOBURG is a city of fast cars, and even faster minibus taxis.
Minibus taxis
In the meantime, minibus taxis are most widely-used public transport, used by the majority of the workers. They are a familiar sight on the streets of Jozi, hurrying along their set routes, hooting at potential passengers, and stopping fares anywhere along their routes.
Taxis are the fastest way to get around the city, and the cost is only slightly higher than the local buses.
As their name implies, minibuses are not taxis in the strict sense, rather they are small-scale buses carrying 11 passengers. They are often unmarked, operate without timetables and do not have formal stops.
There is a whole body language involved in hailing a taxi. Visitors will notice people standing on the pavement with a finger raised in the air. No, they’re not ‘giving you the finger’, they are merely hailing a minibus taxi.
For those seeking an adventure, the minibus taxi offers the perfect opportunity to meet the locals and often venture into areas that the vast majority of tourist never sees.
As with taxi drivers in many large cities, Johannesburg minibus taxi drivers range in temperament from the sullen type to the unstoppably loquacious. Some know the city well and others have sketchy knowledge and poor language skills, so it’s always a good idea to carry a map or to have your destination written down, if you decide to use this type of transport.
However, if you decide to use these taxis prepare yourself for a fast ride. With competition for fares intense, speed is of the essence.
Many drivers pride themselves on their reputation for getting their passengers to their destinations quickly. And they are prone to stopping in the middle of the road without warning to drop off passengers, or driving in the emergency lane.
Minibus taxis generally do not operate after 7pm.
Buses
A cheap way to get around the city
One of the cheapest and safest ways to get around the city is by catching a Metro bus.
There are a number of routes to choose from that cover the length and breadth of Joburg. And the handy thing about the bus-system is that they run to an extensive timetable. In all, there are 80 scheduled routes across six city sectors.
Fares vary depending on the number of zones crossed during the trip and can be paid in cash to the driver. Another option is to buy pre-paid coupons from Computicket outlets.
Timetables and route maps for the Metro bus can be found at the city’s main bus terminus in Gandhi Square, off Eloff Street, in the city centre or on the City’s website or Metrobus’ website
Metro bus also runs a number of city tours in open-top buses.
For more information on using the municipal buses contact Joburg Connect on +27 11 375 5555, option 6, or the Metro bus information centre on +27 11 833 5538.
Metered taxis
Probably the safest transport for tourists, metered taxis are available at all international airports and hotels and are managed by several different companies.
They come in various colours and styles and their distinguishing feature is the plastic yellow sign on the roof. They are considerably more expensive than the bus services, but at least ensure that visitors are fetched from and dropped off directly at their destination.
These taxis do not cruise looking for fares, but must be ordered by telephone.
Joburg taxi services:
- Rose Radio Taxis:+27 11 403 0000
- Maxi Taxi Cabs: +27 11 648 1212
- Corporate Cabs:+27 800 800 800
- Safe Cabs: +27 861 66 55 66
- Jan Smuts Taxi Bureau and Luxury Car Rental:+27 72 116 8512 (24 hr)
- Driver Vasco:+27 82 734 3638
Rental cars
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2010 transport plans
More than one billion rand will be spent improving public transportation and a look at some of the transport projects for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ suggests that the city can expect a new way of travelling by then.
A major City of Johannesburg project is the fast, comfortable and low-cost urban transport system, called the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This will see buses travelling along dedicated lanes, with bus stops replaced by mini stations with ticket barriers, shelter, seating and lighting.
The BRT will be integrated into a broader transport system, with feeder routes serviced by minibuses and taxis. It will also link to the Gautrain.
This bus system will also have routes leading to the football training facilities and main stadiums.
The system will cover 330km and make use of 350 buses, some with a capacity of 90 passengers, which will run at three-minute intervals during peak hours and every 10 minutes during off-peak times.
Other transport plans include the setting-up of some 40 hubs where commuters will be able to switch seamlessly from one form of transport to another using a single ticket.
Better access to stadiums, facelifts for taxi ranks and vastly improved facilities for pedestrians are also on the cards. Luxury buses to transport visitors between cities are also being planned.
The rail system will also play a pivotal role. The recently implemented Gautrain project will see 2010 visitors travelling between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton in just 12 minutes. The upgrading of stations, new coaches and stations is also included in the plans.
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Johannesburg is easy to navigate by car. But it is advisable to have a good map with you at all the times if you are planning to go this route.
There are various car rental agencies in Johannesburg, which include Avis, Hertz, Budget, Imperial, Tempest and Europcar. These agencies have offices in the city and at the major airports.
Basic rates are about the same from company to company, although a little shopping around can unearth modest savings.
If you intend to hire a car, you need to have a valid driver’s licence, with a photograph and signature, and your passport or ID on hand. It is often best to get an international driving permit.
Bookings are also only available for credit-card holders. They can be made telephonically, online, or at company offices around the city.
Car rental services:
Trains
Situated in the centre of Jozi is the bustling Park Station – the end of the line for most train trips from all over the region. It is here that the melting pot that is Joburg is most marked, with visitors from neighbouring countries mingling with local commuters arriving for work.
The metro rail system connects central Johannesburg to Soweto, Pretoria and most of the satellite towns along the Witwatersand.
These routes network out from Park Station to the north, south, east and west. To the east are Doornfontein, Ellis Park and Jeppe stations, while the west route stops at Braamfontein, Mayfair, Grosvenor and Langlaate. To the south, along the Soweto route, the trains stop at Faraday, Westgate, Booysens, Crown and Village Main stations. The trains going north head towards Pretoria, but do not have any rail stops in the northern suburbs of Joburg.
Trains are mainly used for people travelling from outside Joburg to commute to jobs in the city. The most used routes are between the CBD and Pretoria, and the CBD and Soweto.
Passengers also commute from neighbouring towns like Boksburg, Benoni and Springs – a trip that could take up to an hour.
The metro rail system
However, visitors will also be able to use trains to get to the various football grounds as the rail system is being upgraded with stations located near the pitches.
A new high-speed train system – known as the Gautrain – is also currently being built to transport people between OR Tambo International Airport and the two mega-cities of Joburg and Pretoria.
While trains are the cheapest form of public transport in Joburg there are drawbacks, including delays.
Security is also a priority for the operator Wits Metrorail, with visible security guards on trains and stations throughout the network.
Tickets are bought at the station and fares vary according to the distance travelled. There are various ticket options: daily, weekly or monthly.
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