The metropolitan region of Johannesburg is still shaped by the apartheid system, which had pursued racial segregation also in its urban planning strategies: The 4.5 million inhabitants live far away from each other – huge townships with mainly black population in the south and the settlements of the white in the north. 3.5 millions of Johannesburg’s inhabitants live in Soweto, which comprises 30 townships. Overcrowded minibus-taxis are used by 70 percent of the population. They congest streets that are already packed with cars and trucks – especially during rush hours. Consequences are long journeys and many hours lost in traffic, high greenhouse gas emissions as well as harmful health effects. In 2006 – during preparations for World Cup 2010 in South Africa – a period of transition started that changed urban politics and administration as well as economy and population. Over time, objectives of a green and mobile urban development were increasingly pursued.

In preparation of the World Cup 2010, extensive groundwork was necessary before implementing the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Besides construction works, spatial planning as well as diplomatic preparations had to be made. The modern mobility concept encountered severe concerns and reservations – not only from the business community. Especially taxi operators expressed their protest against the plans. They were afraid of losing their earnings as – according to official calculations – one bus replaces 40 cars or several minibus-taxis. Mutual consent has been achieved in the steering committee through the help of the New York Institute for Transportation & Development Policy as well as the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): 350 minibus-taxis were withdrawn from service and their drivers received training to become bus drivers. The new bus company, PioTrans, is majority-owned by nine taxi companies, which comprise over 300 taxi operators. The contract is valid for twelve years. Routes and stations were planned with participation of citizens. Study visits to other BRT-systems, e.g. in Bogotá, Columbia, were offered to city representatives, taxi operators and the BRT company in order to learn from the experience of other countries.

The new BRT system cuts travel times and reduces harmful environmental as well as health impacts. Inspired by the Rea Vaya project, Johannesburg’s metro bus company also has purchased 150 new environment-friendly buses. New buildings are being constructed along the bus routes, which increases density and helps to overcome the urban design problems caused during Apartheid. The bus corridors that connect black townships with white settlements through Johannesburg’s central bus station are called “corridors of freedom”. Rea Vaya is a first, but important initiative for all of Africa.