A road show took information about new BRT feeder routes to Protea and Eldorado Park, where commuters were pleased with the extension plans.

NEW Rea Vaya feeder routes will start from Protea, in Soweto, and Eldorado Park from 3 May.

The mayoral committee member for transport, Rehana Moosajee, explains the new routes

From Eldorado Park to Lakeview Rea Vaya Station, the buses will have nine stops. The route will begin at Main and Concord Streets, travel to the Lakeview Rea Vaya Station where passengers will need to transfer to the trunk route on to the CBD.

The Rea Vaya team took to the road on Sunday, 25 April to spread the word about the new routes to residents and potential commuters in Protea and Eldorado Park. They stopped at shopping centres and Boundary Park , where stands were erected and pamphlets and vuvuzelas were handed out.

First stop was Protea Gardens Shopping Centre; from there it was on to the Protea Glen Shopping Centre and Boundary Park in Eldorado Park before travelling to the Hillbrow Bath House Station.

Rea Vaya in Hillbrow

As the team prepared each stand, the Rea Vaya Industrial Theatre Dancers encouraged on-lookers to join in their dance. Young children gathered around to get vuvuzelas as adults stopped to ask questions about the new feeder routes and Rea Vaya in general.

Also on the trip, much to the delight of the younger audience, was the City of Johannesburg's transportation department’s road safety mascot, Pedestrian Angel.

Moosajee was impressed by the feedback from the people of Protea and Eldorado Park. “I am happy with the response that the people have given us today. This goes to show that the feeder system will work for everybody.”

Many public transport users said they were happy the system was being extended to other parts of Johannesburg, with several Eldorado Park residents saying they had always wanted Rea Vaya to come to their community.

Tyrell Camp, from Eldorado Park, was thrilled. “I am really happy that Rea Vaya is coming to Eldos. Now I know that I can travel safely.”

Another commuter, Ashley Langeveld, said he was “happy that the bus is coming to Eldos”, but questioned why the feeder routes cost R3,50 more than the trunk routes.

A bus trip from Protea and Eldorado Park to Ellis Park will cost R9,50 due to the longer distance.

In Hillbrow, residents enthusiastically joined the Industrial Theatre Dancers.

“I travel from Hillbrow to Soweto every day and Rea Vaya is working for me. I have been using it ever since it began last year and it is affordable, comfortable and quicker than a taxi,” said Mandla Ndebele.

More information on the bus routes can be found at any Rea Vaya bus station or from the Joburg Call Centre, on 011 375 5555.

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• Rea Vaya on track to serve more people
• New routes to be added by May
• BRT’s Nasrec Link moves ahead
• Rea Vaya: comprehensive project update
• BRT progress six months on