The City of Johannesburg is reportedly cutting the R313 million public transport grant, which is touted to be a major blow to commuters, residents and mobility future.
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The City of Johannesburg has come under fire following the loss of a R313 million public transport grant due to chronic operational failures in the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The Automobile Association (AA) has labelled the forfeiture “a blow to road users, low-income commuters, and public confidence,” highlighting growing concern over the city’s ability to manage its faltering transport infrastructure.
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The lost grant—originally earmarked to support and expand the Rea Vaya network—was forfeited after Johannesburg failed to meet operational and performance criteria. The AA warns this is more than a bureaucratic hiccup and is a missed opportunity that directly affects thousands of residents who rely on public transport to access work, education, and basic services.
“This is not just a financial loss; it’s a missed opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of Johannesburg residents who depend on public transport,” said AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede.
The Rea Vaya system has long been troubled by incomplete corridors, limited routes, and underutilised buses, leaving many commuters stranded or forced to rely on more expensive alternatives like minibus taxis, which have seen fare hikes. With the Gautrain only serving select areas, affordable mobility options are dwindling fast, especially for lower-income groups. For Johannesburg’s increasingly congested roads and growing population, this setback is particularly damaging. The AA notes that the grant’s loss is “a chronic inability to plan, execute, and maintain public transport systems with integrity, transparency, and accountability.”
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The consequences stretch beyond infrastructure: without a reliable, inclusive public transport system, residents are nudged further towards private car use, putting added pressure on already strained roadways, increasing safety risks, and further harming the environment. This comes at a time in the country’s history where it is grappling with precarious fuel costs, steep vehicle maintenance expenses, and underdeveloped road infrastructure.
The AA is calling on the City of Johannesburg to urgently prioritise rehabilitation of the Rea Vaya system and engage with civil society and national government to reset the course of public transport planning.
“We cannot afford to waste time or resources,” says Ramagwede. “Johannesburg residents need a transport system that works—and leadership that makes it happen.”
