Commuters traveling along Katherine Street in Sandton are experiencing severe traffic delays following the recent conversion of one of the lanes into a dedicated Rea Vaya bus lane.
Peak-Hour Chaos in Sandton
The change has caused heavy congestion during peak travel times, with traffic backing up through key intersections leading into the bustling Sandton business district. Motorists have voiced growing frustration, with some questioning the planning and execution behind the lane conversion.
Many drivers are demanding clarity on whether a traffic impact study was conducted before the implementation. With Sandton already known for its intense morning and afternoon rush hour traffic, the reduction in available lanes has compounded delays and increased travel times for private vehicles.
City’s Push for BRT Expansion
The move forms part of the City of Johannesburg’s broader plan to expand the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, aimed at improving public transport connectivity across the city. However, the decision has reignited debates around how to effectively balance public transport growth with private vehicle demand in high-traffic areas like Sandton.
Katherine Street Traffic Awaiting Official Response
Questions have been sent to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) regarding the reasoning behind the lane conversion, whether impact assessments were done, and what mitigation strategies are being considered to ease the congestion.
This is a developing story and will be updated once JRA provides a formal response.
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