BRT a R15-billion flop

[LCBXX]

It's busy at peak - very, very busy. Whether or not that's by design (under-supplying carriages) or under-estimating demand is unknown to me.

Here's an article about the general economic impact - I am unable to verify the veracity (it's from a study conducted by ye old KPMG) -

http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/gautrain-on-track-to-success-1884689

That and the waffle about carbon footprint.

I personally would like to see tangible plans to expand further out to the north, west and south. I remember articles about this 3-odd years ago but other than that, nothing.

 

[supersunbird]

In my layman opinion, you need it to be like a star going into CBD, as the Tshwane buses already do, but there you also be ring routes so you don't have to go into CBD just to get back to a place that on the same side of town. Tshwane buses and Ar-e-yeng BRT should also use same payment system.

 

[HavocXphere]

In fairness they tried @ public transport.

 

[Hemi300c]

Still today if you travel through Pretoria you see taxi's throwing cans etc at the busses as they go by.
I think people are intimidated and threatened if caught riding a bus instead of a taxi.
As usual in SA the country is run and controlled by criminals and thugs ruining it for everyone.

 

[AntennaMan]

That and the waffle about carbon footprint.

I personally would like to see tangible plans to expand further out to the north, west and south. I remember articles about this 3-odd years ago but other than that, nothing.

The environmental and economic impact assessments were completed last year around October. Last I heard (earlier this year), they now need to get permission from the Gauteng provincial government followed by financing.

 

[Mila]

I hear mixed views on the success of the Gautrain. You don't know of any info sources that can speak to its success criteria and envisaged expansion plans?

Cheaper and easier to Uber.

Safety is now a concern. That said people were accosted at the gautrain as well.

 

[phoneJunky]

That and the waffle about carbon footprint.

I personally would like to see tangible plans to expand further out to the north, west and south. I remember articles about this 3-odd years ago but other than that, nothing.

They gave info at the beginning of the year on Engineering News. Will try to find it for you, but the second phase will probably only be partly completed by 2030 if switched on today.

The Gautrain has been very successful if compared internationally, but I think Uber is going to eating into its premier service - the airport route, which is way too overpriced. I see though that they haven't increase the prices for the airport route this year. It was only useful for me when I was still single. The moment more than 2 people needs to travel it is not worth it. Also, you have the parking doesn't make it worth it.

Edit:
Here are some links
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/ar...l-spend-of-up-to-r79bn-2017-02-14/rep_id:4136
https://businesstech.co.za/news/fin...ew-routes-for-the-next-phase-of-the-gautrain/

 

[Arthur]

It's the stupidest thing to leave decisions in the hands of people who face no consequences if they're wrong.

 

[skinndeep]

Same here, the Joburg-Soweto route is always full but then again, I usually notice it only during peak times.



This could be a combination of pricing and convience of using Taxi because they can stop anywhere.

Gautrain is also only busy during peak times. I took the train to PTA during the week at 1pm, i think I was the only one on it

 

[konfab]

They would have been better off spending the money by supporting the transportation system that already works - the taxis by:
1) Build proper taxi stops along routes.
2) Ensure law enforcement has the resources to police the system.
3) Creating a cashless system for drivers and passengers. As well as a hailing system
4) Mandatory 6 month inspections for all vehicles
5) Creating dedicated lanes.
6) Daily cleaning/mini inspection of all taxis.

Shoehorning in a new system to try compete with something that already exists is retarded IMO.

 

[FoXtroT]

They would have been better off spending the money by supporting the transportation system that already works - the taxis by:
1) Build proper taxi stops along routes.
2) Ensure law enforcement has the resources to police the system.
3) Creating a cashless system for drivers and passengers. As well as a hailing system
4) Mandatory 6 month inspections for all vehicles
5) Creating dedicated lanes.
6) Daily cleaning/mini inspection of all taxis.

Shoehorning in a new system to try compete with something that already exists is retarded IMO.

I don't think the taxis would agree to that in a million years.

 

[maumau]

And again there is Zero consequence.

This is the root of most SA problems.

 

[konfab]

I don't think the taxis would agree to that in a million years.

They would agree with 1) and 5) with no problem.
2) is none of their concern.
3) they shouldn't have a problem with it if they are running a legal business. In fact they would be able to serve a wider population group.
4) and 6) should simply be attached to the licensing of vehicles for public transport as that is in the interest of public safety.

 

[goth_nerd]

This could be a combination of pricing and convience of using Taxi because they can stop anywhere.

This is true. I mostly use taxis than the Rea Vaya buses... I usually only use the bus when I knock off so that I don't have to walk in the CBD to get to my taxis. But again the buses don't go close to my side of Dobsonville so after getting off I have to use a taxi again to get home.... They're not convenient for everyone... Plus since the increase earlier this month, they're roughly the same price if not a bit more expensive than taxis...

 

[AstroTurf]

What did you expect with no proper feeder systems? That people would magically appear at a bus stop?

Of you build a half system you get a half system

 

[ice_cubes]

They would have been better off spending the money by supporting the transportation system that already works - the taxis by:
1) Build proper taxi stops along routes. - not an issue
2) Ensure law enforcement has the resources to police the system. - they wont agree
3) Creating a cashless system for drivers and passengers. As well as a hailing system - already tried in Bosman Station & Flopped4) Mandatory 6 month inspections for all vehicles - dream on
5) Creating dedicated lanes. - not an issue
6) Daily cleaning/mini inspection of all taxis. - they get cleaned everyday anyway
Shoehorning in a new system to try compete with something that already exists is retarded IMO.

the Areyeng busses in PTA are also kinda dead... even during rush hour you hardly see them full

 

[konfab]

the Areyeng busses in PTA are also kinda dead... even during rush hour you hardly see them full

1) is a damn issue if you have ever been caught behind a taxi stopping illegally.
2) Law enforcement is not up to the taxis to decide.
3) Not really, requiring the taxi drivers to have card machines wouldn't be that difficult. You have things like the ABSA pebble and such.
4) If the taxis want their monopoly on public transport, they have to be subject to rules.
5) I would say it is, if you want to get the taxi industry more formalised to a proper public transport system.
6) They need the inspection as well. Simple things like tyres, lights, seatbelts. Basically the inspection that is required by law before anyone puts a vehicle on the road.

 

[genetic]

While in Cape Town, the MyCiti BRT is a huge success.