Metrobus set for new beginnings

23 July 2015

 

The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau, will on Friday 24 July unveil the new bus fleet for Metrobus at the Milpark Depot. The rollout is in line with Johannesburg’s long-term Growth and Development Strategy – GDS 2040 as well as the Metrobus turn-around strategy.

The “New beginning for Metrobus” includes the rollout of a new bus fleet consisting of dual fuel buses as well as the conversion and rehabilitation of existing buses to use both diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG). 

The first 70 ‘clean and green buses’ will be displayed on Friday.

 

Through this initiative the City is setting an example for the transport industry and laying the foundation for the growth of a local biogas industry. ‘New Beginnings’ Metrobus will have a new fleet of 190 new buses operating by mid-2016. The first batch of 70 will be branded in new colours that are similar to those of the Rea Vaya BRT because “we want to demonstrate that this is also quality public transport and that Metrobus is part of an integrated transport system in the City of Joburg”, says Lisa Seftel, Executive Director of Transport in the City. The Metrobus logo will still be clearly identified on the side and back.

Ecomobility

The new buses will further stimulate the improvement of public transport in the City and increase commuter confidence, in line with the Ecomobility Festival. 

The Ecomobility Festival, to be held in Sandton in October, will foster the use of public transport and non- motorised forms of transport such as walking and cycling.

Cleaner fuel

The new buses, and the rest of the existing Metrobus fleet, will progressively be converted to run on a mixture of CNG/ biogas (70%) and diesel (30%).