Resident suggests BRT be converted to an overhead system
Johannesburg – Joe Di Rago suggests BRT stations be scrapped and converted to overhead monorail stations.
The construction of the Rea Vaya Bus Transport System along Louis Botha Avenue is another good example of job creation versus waste expenditure.
This is according to a Johannesburg north-east resident, Joe Di Rago, saying local government should convert the BRT system to an underground monorail transport system.
Di Rago suggests that the City of Johannesburg’s mayoral committee for transport should consider abandoning the BRT project.
Read: Rea Vaya BRT route takes shape in Louis Botha Avenue but irks motorists
He said this is because lots of money is being paid to contractors to build the system, which is totally ineffective and might become a white elephant.
A survey should be conducted for the effectiveness of the BRT system completed on the western side of Johannesburg between Wits University and the Hellen Joseph Hospital, said Di Rago.
“The buses used are never full indicating that they are not a popular form of transport,” he said.
“So much space and expenses were needed to construct additional two lanes for the buses. Besides that, there are constantly labour issues with the drivers who demand higher wages.”
In order for the Corridors of Freedom to work effectively and efficiently, he said we need to move into the 21st century and build an overhead monorail system.
According to Di Rago, the incomplete bus terminus stations can be adjusted to accommodate the overhead monorail system.
He said this would make the City’s vision of becoming a world-class cosmopolitan city by 2030 – not just a pipe dream but a reality.
“Areas from the southern part of Johannesburg like Soweto could utilise an underground rail system because there exist many underground tunnels left by the mines.
“An underground rail system can be easily constructed along the famous Main Reef Road due to lots of mining activities which occurred in the past,” he said.
Read: BRT project on Louis Botha Avenue, Orange Grove is causing mayhem, according to a resident
To the north, towards Sandton and Diepsloot, Di Rago said even though the Gautrain is in place, an additional monorail could be constructed to Diepsloot.
The previous ANC council was hell-bent on promoting the Corridors of Freedom with the ultimate pool of renaming Louis Botha Avenue, which he said, by the way, is not offensive to the struggle heroes and associated with apartheid.
“Rather spend money on proper signage for our present roads and streets which are signless,” conclude Di Rago.
Details: Joe Di Rago 081 587 7022.
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