Rea Vaya Revival: Joburg BRT Service Welcomes New Buses as PioTrans Undergoes Business Rescue

In a heralded move to improve public transport for Johannesburg residents, Rea Vaya, the city's bus rapid transport (BRT) system, has unveiled a new fleet of buses in a bid to rejuvenate its operations. PioTrans, the company that manages the Rea Vaya service in a partnership with the City of Joburg, found a glimmer of hope after being perilously close to collapse.

Plagued by financial instability, PioTrans was steered into business rescue proceedings in December of last year, following allegations of mismanagement which triggered a court application by creditors. The company, despite owing substantial amounts to the South African Revenue Service (R80 million) and other creditors (R100 million), has managed to keep the buses running from 5 am to 9 pm daily. However, an operational disruption occurred earlier in the year when the buses stood still for two days due to labor disputes.

At a relaunch event earlier this week, the City of Joburg's Transport MMC, Kenny Kunene, acknowledged the end of PioTrans's 12-year contract in January 2023, and relayed the approval of a two-year deviation contract. Kunene's emotionally charged address recounted his efforts in obtaining six new feeder buses for PioTrans, signifying the first batch in a promise of more to come, overseen by the appointed business rescue practitioner (BRP), Mahier Tayob, who has pledged full support from the City of Johannesburg.

In an innovative move, the city announced plans to implement a cashless system on Rea Vaya buses. This system targets the eradication of fare misappropriation by employees, which Kunene suggests considerably contributes to the financial hemorrhaging of PioTrans.

Addressing Rea Vaya's mechanical and maintenance integrity, the MMC lambasted corrupt activities that inflated costs and undermined the system's economics. By shedding light on these malpractices, it is inferred that a strategic overhaul is on the cards to prevent further financial drain and ensure sustainable operations moving forward.

Tayob has confirmed that in addition to the current fleet of 45 buses, an additional 10 are slated to assimilate into service, bolstering the fleet and presumably enhancing reliability for commuters.