City of

Johannesburg Development Agency

No 3 Helen Joseph Street Tel +27(0) 11 688 7851 (O)

The Bus Factory Fax +27(0) 11 688 7899/63
E-mail: info@jda.org.za
, 2000 2107

www.jda.org.za
www.joburg.org.za
To: All news editors
For immediate release
20 August 2020

SELBY BRT DEPOT BEGINS TAKING SHAPE

The revamping of the existing Selby bus depot in the Johannesburg inner city, to turn it into a state-of-
the-art Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) depot for Phase 1B and Phase 1C operations, is steadily
progressing after construction activities recommenced under Covid 19 Alert Level 3 lockdown.

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

The Selby BRT depot, which will service two Rea Vaya BRT operating companies, will be utilised for
major and minor maintenance of buses, by maintaining in-service buses and out of service buses. The
centrally located depot will minimise dead mileage, as well as minimise the time lost by buses in traffic
congestion between depots and route starting points.

Directors
P Kganare (Chairperson) A Ngcezula (CEO) S Moonsamy (CFO) M Ntanga EV Magerman V Magale S Moichela Dr.M Makwarela M Hleko N Moiloa S Masango T Motloung T Mvundle
R Shirinda (Company Secretary)
Registration Number: 2001/005101/07
In 2013, the JDA developed the first depot in Meadowlands in 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.

Phase 2B; construction of the bus depot workshops, refueling garages, and phase 2C; construction of
the administration building, are currently underway.

The scope of works for Phase 2B includes extensive alterations, refurbishments and additions to an
existing workshop building. This includes the construction of a new refuelling building, a new double-
volume wash bay building, two new refuse buildings, a new gate house, civil works, stormwater
infrastructure, concrete paving panels with layerworks, and mechanical and electrical installations.

Environmentally friendly features include lights controlled by sensors; a robust, mild steel sheeting for
the roof; and 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.

The scope of works for Phase 2C include the redevelopment and refurbishment of an existing
administration building. This comprises: demolition works to various areas; the refurbishment of
workshop areas; construction of 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.

The construction of additional toilet blocks; new lifts to aid accessibility; service ducts new pedestrian
and vehicular access with security offices; external works and the installation of electrical and
mechanical will also form part of the scope of work.
Phase 2A, now complete, entailed the construction of 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).

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 refueling bays and an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) control centre. The administration block
features ablution facilities, a canteen, offices and staff and visitors parking.

JDA CEO Mr Anthony T. Ngcezula and the City of Joburg’s MMC for Development Planning, Cllr
Lawrence Khoza recently conducted an oversight tour of the Selby Depot.

“The JDA aims to expand its role by increasing the number of development areas, expanding the types
of developments undertaken, and playing a greater facilitation role in development areas. The JDA’s
primary medium-term objective is to promote resilient city strategies by restructuring the urban spatial
logic of the city,” Mr Ngcezula said.

This construction also plays a role in job creation and skills development, with 30% of the contract value
being awarded to SMMEs.

MMC Khoza said JDA projects were important for the City, and also for social integration and economic
inclusion.

“Our people across the City get to see the dividends that our democracy promises. That should be the
case with all areas in Johannesburg. We know that there were delays as a result of the National
Lockdown. It was important for us to formulate a recovery plan to ensure that these projects are finished
within reasonable time in order for us to focus on other projects. We are very happy to see development
and infrastructure being brought to our people,” added MMC Khoza.
Issued by:
Johannesburg Development Agency
Susan Monyai
Email: smonyai@jda.org.za