Name and Location
Rustenburg Rapid Transport (RRT) project, North West, South Africa.

Client
Rustenburg Local Municipality.

Project Description
The project aims to introduce a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Rustenburg, in the North West, similar to the Rea Vaya BRT system operational in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

The system, to be completed in four phases, will consist of 32 bus rapid transport stations and about 600 bus stops reaching 85% of the population within 1 km of their homes.

The system will also include direct, feeder and distribution bus systems that will link with the RRT trunk roads along the R510 (to Kanana) and the R565 roads (to Phokeng) into the city centre. A fare system will be integrated, with the same pay-as-you-go smart card allowed on all routes and services.

On completion of Phase 1, the RRT will cater for 225 000 passenger trips a day through 127 km of routes, 17 km of dedicated bus lanes, 240 bus stops and 15 BRT stations using 271 buses.

Value
Phase 1 of the project will cost about R3-billion.

Duration
The full-service RRT will be completed by 2020 as funding is allocated from the National treasury, but completion is currently planned for 2020.

Phase 1 is expected to be complete in the 2015/16 financial year.

Phase 2 is expected to start construction in the 2016/17 financial year and Phase 3 by 2019/20.

Latest Developments
Roads for the RRT project’s dedicated BRT lanes are being completed in stages for the integrated system. RRT director Marks Rapoo says progress is being made on the north–west corridor, known as Corridor A, on the R104 towards Swartruggens. This construction contract will be completed by the end of 2013.

Work on the north–east corridor, known as Corridor B, from the central business district (CBD) to Boitekong, has also begun and will be completed in four sections over the next two years.

Other road upgrades will be managed through road maintenance undertaken by the Rustenburg local municipality and is not funded by the Public Transport Infrastructure and Systems Grant. However, the RRT project will make recommendations on roads that require priority upgrades for the system to run efficiently and to support the new buses.

Phase 1 operations of the new bus service are expected to start at the end of 2015 and early 2016.

Phase 1 of the four-phase RRT project started last year with the construction of Corridor A, which links Tlhabane to the CBD. The construction of Corridor B has begun and the Central station tender will be advertised this year.

Construction for Phase 2 operations will start in the 2016/17 financial year and extend the transport service up to Kanana, while Phase 3 will link Phokeng to Tlhabane and will start in 2019/20. Phase 4 will be undertaken in accordance with funding flow and passenger needs.

Various depots and a transport management centre (TMC) will also be built as part of the complete system for the region. Depots will be constructed for Phase 1, 2 and 3. The TMC will be constructed according to funding allocation. The integrated public transport system will be run from the Central Station until the TMC is built.

In April, the Rustenburg municipality unveiled the design for Central station, which will be in the CBD on Thabo Mbeki drive. It is expected to be completed in the 2015/16 financial year and the construction of the station will cost R150-million.

The brand name, logo, colours and positioning are currently being developed in conjunction with stakeholders and local residents. The brand for the Rustenburg IPTN will be launched in early 2014.

The bus specifications and tender for Phase 1 and 2 is being finalised and will be advertised in the last quarter of 2013. The ITS specifications and tender are also in development and will be advertised in the first quarter of 2014.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
The Rustenburg Integrated Network joint venture (project management); SMEC South Africa/UWP/Phatwe Joint Venture and MCivils (Corridor A); MCivils and UMSO Contractors (Corridor B); construction of the Corridor B (north-east) bus lanes has been awarded to two contractors – MCivils (local) for three sections of the contract and UMSO for one section; ARG Architects (station design).

UMSO will widen and build the two main bridges over the railway line on the proposed transport route.  Local organisation and existing contractor MCivils, will be responsible for the construction of BRT bus lanes and new road infrastructure.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
RRT marketing and communications unit manager, Muaaz Gani, email ganim@rustenburgrapidtransport.co.za.
RRT design and construction manager, Amogelang Kgoathe, email amogelangK@rustenburgrapidtransport.co.za.