The construction of the state-of-the-art Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) depot in Selby is nearing completion, with the restoration of an existing administration block for Phase 1B and Phase 1C operations under implementation.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), an entity of the City of Johannesburg, is building the Selby BRT depot in the Inner-City’s industrial node on behalf of the City’s Transport department.
The new Selby BRT depot is expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of the City’s BRT system, while also servicing two Rea Vaya BRT operating companies for major and minor maintenance on in-service and out-of-service buses.
“The Selby Rea Vaya BRT deport forms part of the JDA’s accelerated infrastructure delivery programme aimed at effectively and efficiently delivering on the City’s priority social and economic infrastructure,” says Mokgema Mongane, Chief Executive of the JDA.
The construction was undertaken in three phases; Phase 2A and Phase 2B are complete, and Phase 2C is still underway.
Phase 2C of the Selby BRT depot’s construction includes the facility’s working space, which is now being refurbished and upgraded to include modern amenities. The scope of work includes the renovation of workshop spaces as well as the creation of a new canteen and gymnasium.
The modern administration building will also include additional offices, administration rooms, boardrooms, and storerooms, as well as a new main foyer and reception area and courtyard renovations. It will serve as a central management hub for bus operations.
“Once complete, the Selby BRT depot will be fundamental to the Rea Vaya Phase 1C operations to include the trunk route from Sandton to Alexandra along Rivonia Road and Katherine Drive and the trunk route from Parktown to Alexandra along Louis Botha Avenue,” Mongane says.
The scope of work will also include the building of extra toilet blocks, new lifts for accessibility, service ducts, pedestrian and vehicular access with security offices, and outdoor improvements.
Phase 2B, which included the bus depot workshop and refuelling garages, and phase 2C, which comprised the administration building, are now complete.
Phase 2B’s scope of work comprised extensive alterations, refurbishments, and extensions to an existing workshop facility. This included the construction of a new refuelling building, two new refuse facilities, a new gatehouse, civil works, stormwater infrastructure, concrete surface panels with layer works and mechanical and electrical installations.
The perimeter fence, bus parking area platform, site access road, major parking area driveway upgrade, and the main entrance road into the depot (along Pat Mbatha Road at the intersection with Ignatius Street) were all completed as part of Phase 2A.
Once complete, the Selby BRT depot will be able to house up to 270 buses.
The construction of the administration building also contributes to job creation and skill development, with SMMEs receiving 30 percent of the contract value. To date, the project has employed 10 SMMEs and 51 local labourers, who are receiving continuous work through the project.
It’s hoped the depot’s location in the Johannesburg Inner-City will reduce dead mileage and the time lost by buses in traffic congestion between depots and route starting points. The facility will also have a positive environmental impact by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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