The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Transport, is revamping the existing Selby bus depot in the Johannesburg inner city, to turn it into a state-of-the-art Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) depot for Phase 1B and Phase 1C operations.
The construction of the Selby BRT Depot, which is on the cards for completion in June 2020, is being undertaken in phases, namely phase 1, phase 2B and phase 2C.
The first phase, now complete, entailed the construction of the perimeter fence, bus parking area platform, site access road, main parking area driveway upgrade and the construction of the main entrance road into the depot (along Pat Mbatha road intersection with Ignatius Street).
Phase 2B; construction of the bus depot workshops, refueling garages, and phase 2C; construction of the administration building, are currently underway.
Once completed, the Selby BRT Depot, which was formerly used by Putco Bus, will accommodate up to 270 buses and feature an administration building, maintenance building, washing and refueling bays and an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) control centre. The administration block features ablution facilities, a canteen, offices and staff and visitors parking.
The depot, which will service two Rea Vaya BRT operating companies, will be utilised for major and minor maintenance of buses, by maintaining in-service buses and out of service buses.
“This centrally located depot will minimise dead mileage, as well as minimise the time lost by buses in traffic congestion between depots and route starting points,” said Member of Mayoral Committee for Transport Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba.
“This facility is a testament to the City’s medium-term focus to improving the existing bulk infrastructure to support increased development, improve public environments and social facilities, as well as linkages to the public transport facilities,” MMC Makhuba added.
In 2013, the JDA developed the first depot in Meadowlands in Soweto. The Selby BRT depot is being revamped to be on par with the Meadowlands depot, which is environmentally friendly and custom-made for Rea Vaya buses.
Environmentally friendly features include lights controlled by sensors; a robust, mild steel sheeting for the roof; and cladding to help with climate control, and a noise-wall barrier erected around the premises.
The roof structures will also allow direct sunlight into the building to reduce the need for artificial lighting. Water is recycled for reuse in the buildings and the wash bay. This construction also plays a role in job creation and skills development, with 30% of the contract value being awarded to SMMEs.
“Public transport and related infrastructure has been seen as an instrument for change; with initiatives encouraging transit services to function at an optimum level, and help contribute to reshaping urban form and catalyse further development in the inner city and the City, as a whole,” said MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Reuben Masango.
Issued on behalf of:
The MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Reuben Masango
and the MMC for Transport, Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba
For media queries, please contact:
Susan Monyai
Johannesburg Development Agency
smonyai@jda.org.za
Poppy Louw
Stakeholder Manager: Office the MMC for Development Planning
poppyl@joburg.org.za
011 407 6695
081 235 4999
Tebogo Mogashoa
Stakeholder Manager: Office of the MMC for Transport
tebogomoga@joburg.org.za
011 298 5269
072 631 3783
