Sandton braces for month-long shutdown

SANDTON, Johannesburg,
will close certain
roads for the month of
October, making it a ‘car-free’
district to promote Transport
Month and the EcoMobility
World Festival and Exhibition.
Closed lanes will be used
for public transport, walking,
cycling and other forms of
eco-mobility during October,
said executive Mayor of
the City of Johannesburg,
Cllr Parks Tau. Alternative
transport in and out of
Sandton during the Festival
would be provided, he added.
The City of Johannesburg
said major changes to
transport patterns were
envisaged for Sandton in the
long term and the festival
would serve as a glimpse
of a future where public
transport took precedence
and infrastructure was in
place to encourage walking
and cycling. “We want to
show residents and visitors
that an eco-mobile future
is possible and that public
transport, walking and cycling
can be accessible, safe,
attractive and cool!” said
Mayor Parks Tau.
Sandton has seen numbers
of incoming commuters
increase at 3,4% per annum
– a number likely to increase
at 3% per annum at the
current rate. An estimated
85 797 vehicles travel in
and out of the district every
morning between 06h00 and
10h00 and 89 217 travel in
and out during the 15h00-
19h00 peak period.
By 2017, the district will
roll out Rea Vaya Bus Rapid
Transit lanes and services,
cycle lanes, public transport
lanes, wider sidewalks,
park-and-ride facilities,
bike share schemes,
park-and-ride facilities
for corporates as well as
Metrobus restructuring
and recapitalisation, in an
effort to promote the use
of public transport and
to accommodate people
entering the business hub.