Johannesburg's bus rapid transit system has begun operations, becoming the first BRT system to open in South Africa. With dedicated bus lanes, the system is expected to improve public transit in the populous city, which had heretofore relied on the operation of minibuses and taxis. The taxi industry is still upset about the system, fearing it will steal jobs from taxi drivers. A planned strike had been called off, but taxi officials have not ruled out retaliatory action.
The bus service runs from Soweto, the biggest township in South Africa, to Johannesburg city centre and some of the stadiums that will feature in the 2010 World Cup.
World soccer governing body FIFA has flagged public transport, severely neglected during decades of apartheid rule, as a key challenge South Africa needs to overcome as it prepares to host next year's World Cup tournament.
S.Africa launches transport system ahead of 2010Reuters
August 30, 2009
