The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) says the Selby Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) depot is progressing towards practical completion in one of the heavier industrial nodes in the inner city.

The depot will minimise traffic congestion between depots and route starting points and will also be used for minor and major maintenance for the two Rea Vaya BRT operating companies by maintaining in-service buses and out of service buses.

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the CoJ's Transport Department, managed the development of Phase 2B of the depot.

Phase 2B of the Selby BRT depot entailed the construction of the bus depot workshops, refuelling garages, a refuelling building, a double-volume wash bay building, two refuse buildings and a gatehouse for security. Construction began in May 2019.

For Phase 2C, construction of the administration building is currently under way. The building will be used by bus transport company Piotrans, which operates the Phase 1A Soweto to the central business district (CBD) via the Soweto Highway route, as well as the soon-to-be-confirmed Phase 1C operating company for the Johannesburg CBD to Sandton via Alexandra route, the CoJ says.

The work for Phase 2C comprises demolition work in various areas, refurbishment of workshop areas, construction of a canteen, gym, new offices, administration rooms, boardrooms, storerooms, main foyer with reception areas and a refurbished courtyard.

“The JDA has been instrumental in providing support to the city’s residents through investment in logistics infrastructure; forging connections between the city’s various nodes and in developing effective transport and telecommunications linkages,” says Development Planning MMC Thapelo Amad.

“One of the Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) 2040 outcomes is to provide a resilient, liveable, sustainable urban environment, underpinned by smart infrastructure supportive of a low-carbon economy. The JDA is currently undertaking the Selby depot on behalf of the city’s transport department, which speaks to this GDS outcome,” Amad adds.

There are other facilities at the Selby depot, which was previously used by bus transport company Putco, which will accommodate up to 270 buses. It also has an administration building and an Intelligent Transport System control centre. The administration block has ablution facilities, a canteen, offices and staff and visitors parking.

The construction of the depot was undertaken in three phases, 2A, 2B and 2C, and is an example of the city’s plans to build an effective, safe, affordable, accessible and reliable transport system, says Transport MMC Nonhlanhla Makhuba.

The depot boasts environment-friendly features, such as sensor-controlled lights, a robust steel sheeting for the roof, cladding to help with climate control and a noise-wall barrier around the premises. The roof structures will allow direct sunlight into the building to reduce the need for artificial lighting, and water recycling for reuse will be done in the buildings and washing bays.

Rea Vaya operators will be able to maintain their fleet with newly installed specialised equipment. It includes brake-testing facilities, spray booths, an automatic and manual bus washing facility and a refuelling facility. The project has created jobs and developed skills. About 30% of the contract value was awarded to small, medium-sized and microenterprises in the ward, the city says.