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State-of-the-art bus depot in the inner city industria

The new state-of-the-art Selby Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) depot, which will be designated for Phase 1B and Phase 1C operations, is taking shape amongst the older, heavier industrial nodes in the inner city.

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Department of Transport, has been undertaking the construction of the Selby BRT Depot in three phases, namely phase 2A, phase 2B and phase 2C.

Phase 2B includes construction of the bus depot workshops, refuelling garages, a new refuelling building, a new double-volume wash bay building, two new refuse buildings and a new gate house is currently at 65% completion.

In phase 2C, construction of the administration building is currently at 55% percent completion. This comprises the demolition works to various areas; the refurbishment of workshop areas; construction of a new canteen and gymnasium; construction of new offices, administration rooms, boardrooms and storerooms; the construction of a new main foyer and reception areas, and the refurbishment to courtyard spaces.

Phase 2A of construction, which was completed in 2020, entailed the construction of the OCC (Operations Control Centre), the perimeter fence, bus parking area platform, site access road, main parking area driveway upgrade and the construction of the main entrance road into the depot (along Pat Mbatha road intersection with Ignatius Street).

Located in Selby, Region F, and near the freeway system, with easy access to the M1, M2 and N1 highways, the facility is a testament to the City’s medium-term focus of improving existing bulk infrastructure to support increased development, improve public environments and social facilities, as well as provide linkages to public transport facilities.

“The Selby BRT depot, centrally located, will minimise dead mileage, as well as minimise the time lost by buses in traffic congestion between depots and route starting points,” Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba, said.

“The depot will service two Rea Vaya BRT operating companies, and will be utilised for major and minor maintenance of buses, by maintaining in-service buses and out of service buses,” MMC Makhuba added. 

Environmentally friendly features at the facility include lights controlled by sensors; a robust, mild steel sheeting for the roof; cladding to help with climate control; and a noise-wall barrier erected around the premises. The roof structures will also allow direct sunlight into the building to reduce the need for artificial lighting. Water is recycled for reuse in the buildings and the wash bay.

Once completed, the Selby BRT Depot, which was formerly used by Putco Bus Company, will accommodate up to 270 buses and feature an administration building, maintenance building, washing and refuelling bays and an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) control centre. The administration block features ablution facilities, a canteen, offices and staff and visitors parking.

“The construction of the facelifted Selby BRT depot is a demonstration to how the JDA fulfils an important role in the work needed to achieve the spatial and economic goals set out in the Joburg 2040 Growth and Development Strategy – the vision guiding the City of Johannesburg,” said MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Thapelo Amad.

In 2013, the JDA developed the first depot in Meadowlands, Soweto. The Selby BRT depot is being revamped to be on par with the Meadowlands depot, which is environmentally friendly and custom-made for Rea Vaya buses. 

Issued by The City of Johannesburg