The Gautrain, in partnership with the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system, implemented a high-impact public transport activation at a high-traffic intersection in Sandton on October 24, as part of Transport Month.

Now in its second year, this campaign is an initiative by Gautrain, together with the Rea Vaya and A Re Yeng BRT systems, with the aim of reigniting and igniting a shift among motorists to public transport.

“Traffic congestion is no longer just a freeway problem, it now starts right outside your front gate, with suburban gridlock delaying commuters before they even reach main roads. This highlights the urgent need for a modal shift to public transport to ease congestion and improve travel times,” says Gautrain Management Agency CEO Tshepo Kgobe.

The campaign also highlights the importance of integration between different modes of public transport to ensure accessibility, efficiency and convenience.

“To fast-track public transport integration, we have prioritised collaboration with various public transport providers, including A Re Yeng, Rea Vaya and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, [while] the Gautrain Midibus Service is a joint initiative with minibus taxi operators,” Kgobe explains.

City of Johannesburg transport executive director Lutando Maboza emphasises this month’s reminder about the necessity of investing in sustainable, inclusive and safe transport systems.

The City of Johannesburg's Transport Department has officially started working on its new Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP).

This three-year project will outline how Johannesburg’s transport system will develop, connect and serve its residents over the next five years.

The CITP is a comprehensive roadmap aimed at creating a better-connected Johannesburg. This initiative will seek to integrate all modes of transport across the city’s seven regions, encompassing roads, buses, trains, cycling paths and pedestrian routes.

The goal is to ensure that every part of Johannesburg is interconnected through a transport network that prioritises safety, reliability, inclusivity and sustainability.

Kgobe highlights affordability as a critical factor for encouraging public transport use.

The Gautrain’s KlevaMova product, launched in May, offers a 50% discount on train fares for individuals living in households with a combined yearly income of R350 000 or less, students under 25, scholars, pensioners and recipients of the South African Social Security Agency’s disability grant.

“Since its launch, 9 500 individuals have applied to access KlevaMova and 5 800 have been approved, expanding access to reliable public transport,” Kgobe informs.

Beyond convenience, the public transport campaign highlights the environmental and lifestyle benefits of making the shift.

In this vein, it aims to show that public transport saves on fuel, parking, and maintenance costs, while contributing to cleaner air, reduced emissions and improved personal wellbeing by reducing stress induced by traffic congestion and staying active through walking to and from stations or stops.

“This Transport Month, we are calling on all South Africans to be part of the solution by making the shift to integrated, sustainable, and reliable public transport,” Kgobe stresses.