CITY OF TSHWANE TSHWANE RAPID TRANSIT (TRT) PROPOSED LINE 2C: MENLYN TO MAMELODI
INDEX
1. Purpose of document
2. Background of project
3. Tshwane Rapid Transit system
4. History of Line 2B and 2C
5. Description of the Line 2C route
6. Tshwane Rapid Transit stations
7. Integrated ticketing system
8. Construction
9. Operations
10. Public participation
11. COVID-19
12. Stakeholder engagement form
1. PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT
The aim of this document is to inform interested and affected parties of the status quo of the A Re Yeng Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and the proposed extension of the route from Menlyn to Mamelodi.
This document will provide you with –
background information regarding the proposed project;
the environmental authorisations acquired;
an opportunity to register as an interested and affected party;
information on how you can participate in the process; and
an opportunity to raise issues and concerns, and to request information about the project.
2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The National Public Transport Strategy, which was approved by the South African Cabinet in 2007, provided for the implementation of Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks (IRPTNs) which were to introduce Priority Rail Corridors and BRT in South African cities in order to radically improve urban public transport.
The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality is one of 12 municipalities that were selected by the National Treasury and the Department of Transport to develop and implement an IRPTN.
The Tshwane Rapid Transit (TRT) System is aligned with the City of Tshwane’s IRPTN Strategy and aims to provide an efficient and accessible transport system comparable to private transport. The TRT infrastructure will maximise the facilities for non-motorised traffic (ie cycling and walking) along the route and will be designed to fit in with the existing streetscape.
The IRPTN Strategy describes the overall vision for rapid mass public transport systems integration for Tshwane and is characterised by the following:
The integration between the comprehensive integrated transport plan and the integrated public transport network
The role of each mass public transport mode in Tshwane
The integration of rapid mass public transport systems with the overall public transport network The IRPTN plan for future BRT corridors and the integration with rail services such as Gautrain and PRASA in the short-, medium- and long term
A Non-Motorised Transport Network Strategy supplementing mass public transport services
The map below indicates the various modal nodes of integration that were considered.
Figure 1: IRPTN indicating the existing rail and BRT phases
The City of Tshwane aims to achieve the following benefits from the IRPTN System which includes BRT:
An efficient, safe, reliable, cost-effective and accessible rapid bus transport system
Improved travel times during peak hours
Reduced traffic congestion on roads
Environmental benefits
Greater mobility and access to key employment, economic and social nodes Greater integration of various public transport systems such as Gautrain, Metrorail, etc
Supported economic growth and development
Greater connectivity between communities and entrenching a one-city philosophy
3. TSHWANE RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM
The Tshwane BRT, known as A Re Yeng, was designed in phases to accommodate dedicated lanes with median stations that will be used exclusively for buses. To date, Phase 1A (from the Pretoria Central Business District (CBD) to Wonderboom Station in the north) and Phase 2A (from the CBD to Hatfield) were introduced. The City is now preparing for the implementation of Phase 2B (from Hatfield to Menlyn Park Shopping Centre) and Phase 2C (from Menlyn to Mamelodi).
Soshanguve
(Kopanong) Line 2D
Line 1C (9 km) (13 km) Line 1B 2021 2021 (10 km) Mahube Valley 2021 Denneboom Wonderboom (Mamelodi) (Mamelodi) Akasia Line 2C (11 km) Line 1A 2020 (9 km) Hatfield 2018
Pretoria CBD Line 2Av (7 km) LEGEND Line 2B - Line 1 (10 km) Pretoria Station - Line 2 2020 Menlyn
Figure 2: The TRT phased network
4. HISTORY OF LINE 2B AND 2C
In order to provide a fair view on the past and future roll-out of the project, it is important to explain the history of the alignment from Hatfield to Menlyn along Lynnwood Road and Atterbury Road, which is referred to as Line 2B.
The approval of the above portion of the alignment maintained the local and regional functions of Lynnwood Road and Atterbury Road as the current cross-section of two mixed traffic lanes in each direction and one bus lane in each direction.
After the public participation process and promulgation were concluded, the City reconsidered the project with the express purpose to reduce infrastructure costs due to reduced capex availability from the National Treasury via the PTNG Grant fund. The outcome of the City’s intent to reduce costs was to acquire one of the existing mixed traffic lanes in each direction for the buses. One of the two mixed traffic lanes in each direction, as is currently the case, will therefore fall away. This decision was proposed for the entire alignment.
The City of Tshwane requested “that a public participation programme of the proposed Lynnwood Road and Atterbury Road cross-section changes be conducted. Once the public participation process has been finalised, a further report be compiled for consideration by the Mayoral Committee and, to the extend required, the Council, in respect of all comments and/or objections received, to enable the City to make a final decision on the proposed cross- section changes and proposed street closures”.
The City further requested “that an economic study be conducted on the impact that lane acquisition will have on the economy of the area”.
The economic study as well as the traffic impact assessment indicated that the cross- section for lane acquisition will have a severely negative impact on the economy. The above was therefore the reason for the delay on the promulgation of the section from Menlyn to Mamelodi (Line 2C).
5. DESCRIPTION OF THE LINE 2C ROUTE
Line 2C follows January Masilela Drive in a northern direction from the intersection with Atterbury Road where it turns right at the intersection with Lynnwood Road. It then traverses in an eastern direction along Lynnwood Road to the intersection with Simon Vermooten Road. The route turns left at Simon Vermooten Road and continues to its intersection with Waltloo Road. It then traverses along Zasm Street towards the Denneboom Centre at Denneboom Station in Mamelodi.
The TRT will have dedicated bus lanes (ie the right-hand lane on each side) with six stations located in the middle of the road along the Line 2C section of the route. 6. TSHWANE RAPID TRANSIT STATIONS
The seven stations will be located at the following street intersections:
January Masilela Drive:
At the intersection with Glenwood Road
Lynnwood Road:
At the intersection with Ascott Street and Jacobson Drive
At the intersection with Botterklapper Street
At the intersection with Simon Vermooten Road
Simon Vermooten Road:
At the intersection with Griffiths Street
At the intersection with Bronkhorstspruit Road
At the intersection with Alwyn Street
The TRT stations will be enclosed bus shelters that will include other facilities, and will be generally positioned on the median area or in the middle of the street, but need not necessarily be so, depending on the specific road type category, available space or geometry. Pedestrian access to and from the station will be at the one end of the station and the two sides will be used for alighting and boarding of the TRT buses in the two opposite directions.
Passengers will move through an access-controlled area when entering or leaving the station. Depending on passenger demand, a station may serve more than one bus in the same direction simultaneously, therefore a modular design will be the most suited to cater for varying demand at different stations. To improve the ease of boarding and reduce delays at stations, buses will stop at defined positions right against the boarding platform.
It is anticipated that the design of the stations will differ from each other due to, inter alia, their size and length, functionality requirements and the habitat within which they will be located. The station sizes will also vary due to the anticipated passenger demand.
7. INTEGRATED TICKETING SYSTEM
As mandated by the Department of Transport, the payment card system shall be an Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system using Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) technology, and conforming to the Department of Transport AFC Data Structure. Using EMV technology and the Department of Transport AFC Data Structure would eventually also allow passengers to use the same payment card for other transport modes (bus, taxi and rail). The Gauteng Integrated Fare Management Project terms this as “fare media integration”. Further integration with other transport modes is possible but has not been considered at this stage.
A zonal-based fare structure is currently proposed and we anticipate concessions and products being available.
8. CONSTRUCTION
Construction along January Masilela Drive and Lynnwood Road is expected to commence in the 2021/22 financial year. Temporary construction-related impacts such as dust, noise and lane closures should be expected. Construction may also, in some cases, require moving services such as water and/or sewerage pipelines, electricity and telephone lines, causing temporary disconnections.
Only stations will be constructed in the median of Simon Vermooten Road as the additional bus lane has already been constructed.
9. OPERATIONS
The bus service is expected to be operational from July 2020 and will operate in mixed traffic until the construction is completed.
10. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The City of Tshwane is undertaking a public participation process in order to provide interested and affected parties with information about the project, and to provide opportunities for queries, comments or input. The public can participate in the process by –
completing and submitting the stakeholder engagement form in order to be captured on the stakeholder database, and receive additional information about the project and participation opportunities as they become available;
providing comments in writing, via email or telephonically using the contact details provided below;
responding to the announcement in the Provincial Gazette; and
commenting on the draft documents. The public can contact Mr Lulama Jezi on 012 358 6269 or at [email protected] for further information.
11. COVID-19
It is unnecessary to further delay the promulgation process of this section of the project due to the current national state of disaster announced for South Africa as a result of COVID-19. It is therefore suggested that, in the absence of public meetings, all documentation and communication be done electronically. All documents pertaining to the project, as well as the Provincial Gazette notices for the route and station positions, will also be available on the website.
Interested and affected parties will have 21 days to submit objections to the project manager, whose details will appear in the Gazette Notice.
12. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT FORM
In order to ensure that your concerns are considered, please complete and return the form below to Lulama Jezi at [email protected].
TITLE FIRST NAME
INITIALS SURNAME
ORGANISATION
POSTAL ADDRESS
POSTAL CODE
STREET ADDRESS
TEL NUMBER FAX NUMBER
CELL NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
COMMENTS: (You may use a separate sheet if need be)
The following issues must be considered during the process:
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