The City of Johannesburg on October 12 officially unveiled Africa’s largest intermodal transport hub – the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange (JITI) on the west of Park Station, in Newtown.

The unveiling was led by Johannesburg mayor Mpho Moerane, who was accompanied by the portfolio project owner, Transport MMC Nonhlanhla Makhuba.

They were joined by other councillors to receive the facility from the Joburg Development Agency, ahead of its opening for operations early in 2022.

The transport facility investment is in line with the Joburg Growth and Development Strategy 2040.

The JITI had been under construction for a couple of years and was finally handed over, after being given the greenlight for use by long-distance transport operators and commuters in the new year.

At 50 000 m², the JITI will see about 1 500 travellers daily arrive or depart to destinations within the Southern African Development Community region.

“JITI is a long-term investment that forms part of the inner-city development plan designed to create accessible, safe and reliable public transport with convenient connectivity to different modes of transport.

He indicates that the facility boasts a bus terminal for cross-border buses, as well as ranking and holding space for taxis and ranking for 20 buses. The facility has over 3 300 m² space devoted to trading for both large retail outlets and informal traders, banks, ticketing offices and food courts,” Moerane said during the handover ceremony.

The modern architectural design of the JITI also includes a recreational facility that will provide a safe space for programmes aimed at the development of fundamental skills such as reading and writing.

It also has room for sport and other physical activity and health programmes to stimulate growth and development in the surrounding community.

Through the JITI investment, 28 small to medium-sized enterprises were contracted at the start of the facility’s development.

The facility is designed not only for travellers and their needs, but for operators as well, with restrooms and showers.

There is clear static and electronic signage indicating the arrival and departure of buses and minibus taxis, booking offices, as well as a website and app listing bus and minibus taxi services and schedules.

An access control system will ensure travellers are able to use only vehicles that have the correct operating licences and vehicle fitness certificates.

A law enforcement officer will be readily accessible for passengers to complain or escalate incidents. It will also conduct regular enforcement campaigns and blitzes.

To minimise any criminal activity, the JITI will also be guarded by closed-circuit television cameras throughout the facility.

The JITI handover was followed by the opening of the Paterson Park multipurpose precinct, in Norwood.

The facility boasts a range of sporting and recreational facilities that include a mini football stadium with a full-size pitch and seating capacity for about 400 people.

It also has an indoor high-performance centre with a fully equipped gymnasium and two Astro football courts.

This is alongside five combi courts with a pavilion, a 25 m by 15 m swimming pool with a grandstand for spectators and a splash pool, as well as a 150-seater amphitheatre style hall.

The precinct, in addition, has a fully resourced library with e-learning connectivity.

The city’s new libraries now also have e-learning classrooms and training on how to access digital content.

The multipurpose facility is posited to benefit communities in Norwood, Orchards, Orange Grove and adjacent neighbourhoods.