BY ISAAC MAHLANGU, SEIPATI MOTHOA AND KHODANI MPILO
About 17 years after South Africa’s first Bus Rapid Transit project rolled out in Johannesburg, R40bn has been spent on the system across nine cities and towns.
Yet the end goal - an effective public transport system that moves the majority of the population - remains out of reach.
Operational BRTs across the country completed just 44-million passenger trips last year, according to the department of transport, compared with taxis that move about 15-million passengers a day, which translates to at least 30-million passenger trips a day.
Massive delays, rising costs and resistance are among the hurdles faced in BRT roll-outs.
Some projects have been plagued by allegations of corruption and maladministration. The auditor-general has flagged contracts awarded in Johannesburg, Polokwane and Rustenburg.
Transport expert Vaughan Mostert told Sunday Times that public transport in South Africa had never been functional, especially for the majority of people, and that the BRT systems were not achieving what they were intended to.
“We fool ourselves when we talk of public transport policy in South Africa. At no time in our history have we had a blueprint for optimal public transport. Instead, we have thousands of pages of legislation, reports, conference papers, transport plans … giving the impression that someone is looking at the problem.”
By now every urban area in South Africa should be reaping the benefits of transport networks operating on foundational parameters such as having 85% of the population living within 800m of a public transport route.
He said most public transport plans were “copy and paste” exercises which “rehash bullet points going back more than 30 years”.
“By now every urban area in South Africa should be reaping the benefits of transport networks operating on foundational parameters such as having 85% of the population living within 800m of a public transport route.”
Mostert said all routes should link up with other routes, forming a vast network.
”Services should operate at least 15 hours a day and at least once an hour. Fares on all modes (rail, bus and minibus taxi) must be the same for the same distance,” Mostert said.
Cape Town’s My CiTi is the biggest - and arguable most successful - BRT service in the country in terms of numbers, with about 22,000 commuters using the service daily.
The city is adding infrastructure, such as the dedicated red bus lanes, bus stops, stations for its second phase, known as the Metro South East Corridor (MSEC).
“This phase will see various bus routes operating between Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha, and Wynberg and Claremont,” said Rob Quintas, mayoral committee member for urban mobility.
But the project has not been smooth. In July, two Golden Arrow buses were torched, allegedly at the instigation of taxi operators who oppose the construction of BRT routes in the area.
Cape Town has spent R4.2bn on the project so far and plans to invest a further R5.4bn to connect Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with Wynberg and Claremont. It will spend R88m on the refurbishment and replacement of the fleet.
“We get regular requests from residents from the northern suburbs and the Somerset West/Strand area for the service to be rolled out in those areas,” Quintas said.
Former transport mayoral committee member, GOOD party secretary Brett Herron, described MyCiTi as the most successful of South Africa’s BRT systems, though expansion had been slow.
He said integrating minibus taxi operators and bus companies was key to success but warned that limited funding and instability in the city’s transport unit had slowed progress.
Johannesburg was the first metro to roll out the BRT system, in 2009, and this week launched a new phase linking Alexandra, Sandton and the Johannesburg CBD.
Two other operational phases will link Soweto, and west Johannesburg suburbs such as Windsor, Auckland Park and Westdene with the inner city including Doornfontein, Braamfontein and Yeoville.
The system is now used by about 19,000 commuters a day, which the city believes can be increased, as 28,660 were using the system daily in 2023/24.
“The city is working to improve the number of passengers using the system, with the introduction of the new account-based ticketing system which will allow passengers to have loading options for their travel cards,” said Joburg transport spokesperson Benny Makgoga.
Vusi Dludlu, 52, a security guard who has been using the system since 2009 said it was cheaper and more reliable than taxis, but raised concerns about the timetable, especially on Sundays when there are fewer buses.
Tshwane’s A Re Yeng BRT system has seen R4.8bn spent and is used by 8,200 commuters daily, according to the city.
The system links Pretoria north, Pretoria east’s Menlyn and the CBD.
Commuter Mosadi Nchabeleng, who has been using the system since she recently relocated to Pretoria, said: “I have found affordability and comfort with these A Re Yeng buses, which are air-conditioned ― I love that.”
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city had 114 buses and was aiming for 29,000 daily passenger trips within two years.
The R4.8bn figure includes spending on infrastructure projects including building BRT routes, stations and other related facilities.
In Durban, the eThekwini Metro says it has spent R9bn on phase one of its Integrated Public Transport Network, branded GO!Durban which involves BRT.
Spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the city was finalising preliminary talks with affected operators on four routes and the inner-city distribution system which are affected by their rollout of phase one.
Sisilana said formal negotiations were expected to begin in November 2025, with services phased in over the next three financial years.
Ekurhuleni Metro’s Harambee, which has seen more than R6.2bn spent, is used by 5,400 passengers. The service runs from Tembisa via Isando to the OR Tambo Airport.
“This is a milestone for the city as Ekurhuleni communities accepted the buses and liked using them for the comfort and affordability,” said Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
The metro plans to extend operations within the next five years to include areas in Boksburg CBD and Vosloorus. There are plans to incorporate Katlehong and Thokoza via Edenvale, Germiston and Alberton.
Commuter Rotakala Mabulele told the Sunday Times: “My bus ride to work is so affordable as I spend R15 on a single trip.”
Mabulele, from Tembisa, said she hoped the city would introduce weekend buses.
The Hauweng BRT in Bloemfontein is used by about 3,200 commuters a day. The city was unable to say how much it has spent on the system so far.
Municipal spokesperson Qondile Khedama said they had expected 4,500 passenger trips daily, however “due to smooth and uninterrupted operations Hauweng caters for 6,500 passenger trips daily”.
Hauweng BRT has been operating since July 2024 with 10 operational buses, each with a capacity of 72 commuters, Khedama said.
In Rustenburg, R4bn has been invested in the Yarona system, which was rocked by corruption allegations. Only 11 buses are operational in the current phase.
Rustenburg BRT spokesperson Theron Rapoo said the Yarona BRT system, which has one phase operational, would see its second phase introduced soon.
The Leeto la Polokwane in the Polokwane municipality was also rocked by corruption allegations relating to the purchase of buses with four operational routes.
With around R2.2bn spent, the system, according to the municipality, is used by 3,500 commuters with fares ranging from R8.50 to R14.
Nelson Mandela Bay’s Libhongolethu BRT has cost R4.8bn so far and is used by 2,000 commuters. There are two phases operational, with 25 buses in use.
“Commuters have expressed satisfaction but have raised concerns about limited availability and waiting times. The minibus-taxi sector operates in competition with IPTS services along certain routes,” said Nelson Mandela Bay spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.