October 24, 2006
By Anish Abraham
METROBUS has taken delivery of the first 40 new buses ordered from DaimlerChrysler Bus.
Six of the buses are specially adapted for wheelchairs. The delivery, part of its Road to 2010 and Beyond initiative, has boosted the City's efforts to have a world-class transport system up and running for the 2010 Fifa World Cup and beyond.
Guests joined City officials and management from Metrobus, DaimlerChrysler and Marco Polo at the colourful event held on a scorching summer's afternoon at Metrobus's Milpark depot. They were treated to the sounds of the Buskaid Soweto String Project and members of the Metrobus choir.
The launch of new Metro buses
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Thabo Seopa, the Metrobus chairman, said the delivery of the 40 Mercedes-Benz City Buses could not have come at a more appropriate time. "It is fitting that we are taking delivery of these buses during October, which is also Public Transport Month."
He talked of his experiences of the experimental High Occupancy Vehicle lane on the N1 highway between Johannesburg and Tshwane, saying that many drivers seemed not to know about the lane restrictions. In the pilot project, the far right lane has been set aside for vehicles carrying three or more passengers, during peak hours.
Seopa said the delivery of the buses would go a long way towards renewing the Metrobus fleet, bringing down the average age of their vehicles, while also providing buses specially designed to cater for people with disabilities.
"However, these things are not being done for soccer alone, but for the people of Johannesburg. 2010 is just being used as a milestone by when we aim to have a world-class transport system."
Wolfgang Diez, the head of DaimlerChrysler Bus, said that the 40 buses were the first batch of 126 city buses that would be delivered to Metrobus. In addition, the bus company had also acquired two luxury coaches from the vehicle maker.
"Our philosophy is of thinking global, but acting local. Therefore we do not create uniform buses, but cater to our customers' specific demands."
According to Diez, the buses are extremely fuel efficient and adhere to the latest emissions standards required by members of the European Union.
Thanking all for attending the launch, the mayoral committee member for transport, Rehana Moosajee, said the fleet renewal would help bring about Johannesburg's vision of turning itself into a world-class African City.
"The executive mayor has seen the importance of transport in getting the economy of Joburg moving, thus creating a separate portfolio for transportation."
She said the fleet renewal at Metrobus would enable the City to delivery a more efficient and higher quality service. "We have always said we wanted to leave lasting legacies behind after 2010, and an efficient transport system is one of those legacies."
Moosajee talked of the "community-building" atmosphere of bus travel, where commuters could relax and get to know one another, comparing it to driving alone and getting frustrated on congested roads.
The City was looking into the possibility of dedicated public transport lanes along its roads, ensuring a faster service for commuters. She also called for partnerships between the various forms of transport, stating that there was a need for integrated transport solutions.
MMC for Transport, Rehana Moosaje, bus operator, Joyce Mrwetjana, managing director of Metrobus, Bheki Shongwe and chairman of the Metrobus board, Thabo Seopa
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
"There has to be a partnership between Metrobus, other bus operators, taxi operators and Metrorail," Moosajee said.
After her thanks, there was a demonstration of those buses specifically designed to cater for people in wheelchairs. Jerry Magagula, the president of a group representing disabled transport users, said they still had a problem reaching the bus stops, though the provision of new buses was a "massive improvement" compared to the small vehicles previously used.
Closing the ceremony, Metrobus driver Sam Ravhele thanked the company's management and councillors for ensuring the company's fleet was renewed. "I am very proud to be a professional driver for Metrobus."
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