Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
06 May 2025 | 16:07 CAT

Automobile Association slams City of Johannesburg’s Rea Vaya failure.

“This is not only a financial loss. It’s a missed opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of Johannesburg’s residents,” says Eleanor Mavimbela, spokesperson for the Automobile Association (AA).

The City of Johannesburg is under fire following the forfeiture of a R313 million public transport grant allocated for the upkeep and improvement of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The Automobile Association has described the incident as a critical setback for the city’s already fragile public transport infrastructure.

The loss stems from what has been described as severe operational failures, including unmaintained buses, incomplete bus corridors, and the city’s failure to meet the terms of the grant. According to the AA, the funds were meant to provide affordable transport for low-income earners, including pensioners and grant recipients who rely on accessible mobility to navigate the city.

“This grant was supposed to maintain and expand the BRT network, offering a lifeline to the poorest of the poor,” said Mavimbela. “With its loss, we’ve narrowed their already limited transport options.”

The AA warns that without the grant, Johannesburg faces increased congestion, deteriorating road infrastructure, and a worsening public mobility crisis. “We cannot even count on the train system anymore,” Mavimbela added, referencing the long-standing issues within the country’s rail network.

Originally introduced to bridge the mobility gap for township and inner-city commuters, the BRT system has long been hailed as a solution to Johannesburg’s transport woes. Its potential collapse, should no remedial steps be taken, would roll back gains made in public transport accessibility.

Mavimbela has urged stakeholders and civil society to intervene, stating that a collaborative approach could restore the grant. “Let’s not allow the BRT system to die a slow, unnecessary death,” she said.

The City is yet to issue a comprehensive response on possible next steps, but public sentiment is clear: urgent action is needed to reverse the decline and restore dignity to public transport in Johannesburg.

Is this another case of mismanagement crippling progress in the country’s economic hub?

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Eleanor Mavimbela here.