Joburg best at beating traffic snarl-ups
JOHANNESBURG is set to increase its global reputation for having one of the most effective traffic management systems in the world.
This comes as the City of Joburg continues to invest in public transport infrastructure and road networks.
Despite it being the most populous city in South Africa, Johannesburg has stood out to be the beacon of hope of a public transport infrastructure that works; and is slowly realising return on investment.
As we celebrate National Transport Month in October, it’s worth noting that Johannesburg was this year the only African city to have won the Tom Tom Traffic Index Award – scooping the Traffic Management Systems category.
Johannesburg was one of the six winners, which included Moscow, Stockholm, Rio de Janeiro, Pittsburgh and Abu Dhabi.
Other categories included the best city in terms of Public Transport, Parking, Infrastructure,
Automated Driving and Blended Mobility.
The latest Tom Tom Traffic Index (TTTI) 2017 applauds Johannesburg for its implementation of the effective traffic management systems, which earned it a special recognition from international panel of traffic experts.
Experts were impressed with Johannesburg’s traffic management strategies, freeway improvements and integrated bus system among others, which secured it a seat among the top cities in the world, for its efforts in reducing traffic congestion.
Johannesburg was competing with 390 other cities around the globe, which were part of the Traffic Index study.
The annual report looks into the cities around the world with the most traffic congestion; and of their efforts to reduce traffic congestion.
Johannesburg was compared with other metros in the country, with Tom Tom monitoring daily the morning and evening peak hour traffic over a year period.
This accolade comes as the City of Joburg’s executive mayor, Herman Mashaba, recently announced an ambitious landmark Negotiation Framework Agreement, which will result in the City’s R2.2 billion planned investment into the expansion of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT).
The intended investment is set to transform public transport and empower public transport operators.
The agreement was signed by the mayor and the representatives of different public transport operators between the Joburg CBD, Alexandra, Sandton, Midrand and Ivory Park.
The agreement is also a major milestone in implementing an integrated public transport plan; which will contribute not only to improved quality public transport for Joburgers, but also promote economic empowerment of the taxi industry.
The other major transport infrastructure projects that have recently been launched, include the public transport lane, which is known as the Sandton Public Transport Loop, that run along Rivonia Road, Freedman Drive and the 5th Street and also include stops and shelters with information for passengers regarding bus routes and bus-stops.
The ambitious plans come as the City celebrates the Transport Month in October, where it will reflect on innovative ways to continue to reduce traffic congestion and make mobility easy.
Meyers is the City of Johannesburg’s Section 79 Committee Chairperson for Transportation.