Rea Vaya bus services in Soweto have been suspended until further notice following the tragic shooting deaths of two bus drivers on Monday night. Passengers are urged to seek alternative transportation as police launch a murder investigation into the incidents.
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Two Drivers Killed in Separate Incidents
According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, two drivers were killed in two separate shooting incidents. The first driver was shot and killed at a robot on Wildchestnut Street in Protea by unknown assailants. In the second incident, which occurred on Tshithuthune Street, a passenger witnessed the shooting. The passenger, who was the only one on the bus at the time, heard gunshots and took cover. After the shooting stopped, he realized the driver had been shot. He attempted to drive the bus but crashed into a wall. The driver was declared dead at the scene, while the passenger was unharmed. The motive for both shootings remains unknown, and police investigations are ongoing.
Passengers Are Advised to Find Alternative Transport
Following the shootings, Rea Vaya issued a statement advising passengers to make alternative transport arrangements. The service has suspended its operations in Soweto until further notice and has promised to provide regular updates on the situation.
Second Suspension in Months
This suspension is the second for Rea Vaya in just a few months. Services were also suspended in November of last year due to concerns raised by “transport stakeholders” regarding feeder routes. At that time, Transport MMC Kenny Kunene mediated discussions between Rea Vaya and Soweto taxi operators to address the issues.
Previous Suspension Related to Feeder Routes and Registration Plates
The November suspension stemmed from disputes over Rea Vaya’s feeder routes. Taxi operators initially claimed they were upset about 45 Rea Vaya feeder buses that did not have Gauteng registration plates. Kunene explained that the issue arose from an error at the depot, where the buses were incorrectly assigned to pick up passengers with the wrong registration numbers. He apologized for the inconvenience and clarified that Rea Vaya was not introducing new buses in Soweto but was supplementing the existing Piotrans fleet, which had experienced breakdowns. Following discussions between Rea Vaya and taxi bosses, the situation was resolved, and services resumed.
Rea Vaya Expands Fleet with Reconfigured Gautrain Buses
Despite the recent disruptions, the company has been working to improve its service. The company recently added 68 buses to its fleet, acquired from Bombela for R18 million. These buses were previously used for the Gautrain. However, the City of Joburg announced that these buses require reconfiguration to meet Bus Rapid Transit specifications, particularly regarding passenger loading and offloading doors. The buses are also being rebranded to align with the City of Joburg’s corporate identity. The City aims to complete the reconfiguration of 66 buses by June 2025, with a target of 16 buses being reconfigured monthly starting in February.
Uncertainty Remains About Service Resumption
While the addition of new buses signals Rea Vaya’s commitment to improving its services, the recent shootings have cast a shadow over its operations. The safety of drivers and passengers is paramount, and it remains unclear when Rea Vaya services in Soweto will resume. The police investigation into the murders is ongoing, and the community awaits updates on the situation. The long-term impact of these incidents on Rea Vaya’s operations and passenger confidence remains to be seen.
