City of Johannesburg Forfeits Public Transport Grant Amid Rea Vaya Crisis

The City of Johannesburg has lost a public transport grant worth R313 million due to ongoing failures within the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system—raising serious concerns about the future of mobility for commuters who depend on affordable and efficient transport.

The loss of the grant, confirmed by the Automobile Association (AA), was attributed to Johannesburg’s failure to meet key operational and performance targets required to maintain funding. This setback deals a significant blow to road users, especially low-income commuters, and further erodes public confidence in the city’s transport infrastructure.

AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede said the missed opportunity goes far beyond a financial penalty. “This is not just a financial loss; it’s a missed opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of Johannesburg residents who depend on public transport,” he said.

The Rea Vaya system has long suffered from a lack of completed routes, unreliable service, and poor integration with other modes of transport. These issues have left many residents stranded or forced to turn to more expensive options like minibus taxis—where fares continue to rise—or to rely on private cars, contributing to rising congestion.

While the Gautrain offers rapid transit to some areas, its limited coverage means large sections of the population are left without accessible, affordable transport options. The AA warned that this situation is exacerbating inequality and worsening the strain on road infrastructure.

“This is a reflection of a chronic inability to plan, execute, and maintain public transport systems with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” the AA said.

The implications are broader than infrastructure alone. Without a functional and inclusive public transport system, more people will be pushed toward car ownership, increasing pressure on roads, escalating safety risks, and harming the environment. With fuel prices and vehicle maintenance costs on the rise, mobility is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many South Africans.

The AA has called on the City of Johannesburg to take immediate action to restore Rea Vaya’s credibility by addressing the system’s failures and working with both civil society and national government to realign public transport planning and investment priorities.

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Sourced:Car Mag

Picture: Vuk’uzenzele