FAQs
About RRT
What is IRPTN?
Integrated Rapid Transport Network refers to the integration of various modes of transport which seek to provide a safer, reliable, accessible, affordable, transport system that gives priority to the public over private transport. The plan is to provide integration of public transport with the emphasis of being on the delivery Rapid Transit (RT) system. This includes an extensive effort to integrate the system with an array of other services, including train services, feeder vehicles, taxis, pedestrian passageways, bicycles, and private cars.
What is RRT?
Rustenburg Rapid Transit/transport is the municipality’s department responsible for planning, managing and implementing services for high quality public transport system that runs on an exclusive dedicated lane with coordinated and prioritised signalling. The people of Rustenburg, the municipality, and the RRT department have named the bus service Yarona.
Why is the Yarona being introduced in Rustenburg?
The goals and objectives of the project are to transform existing public transport conditions by providing a high quality, cost effective, car- competitive public transport system that will serve the mobility needs of all segments of the municipality’s population, even current owners of private vehicles and in doing so, ease congestion, reduce the impact on the environment and support the development of a sustainable city; To achieve this objective by placing 85% of the municipality’s population within 500m of IRPTN road, or feeder corridor; To improve and integrate the municipality ‘s urban transport system, attract more investment, tourism, ultimately stimulate the economy and job creation.
The aim of the project is to transform the existing public transport conditions and image by providing high quality, cost effective, car competitive, public transport system that will serve the mobility needs of the city’s population.
Which areas will be covered?
An integrated public transport network (IPTN) for Yarona has been developed. The network aims to place 80% of Rustenburg residents within 1km of Yarona services. The network of routes will be implemented over time as funds infrastructure and buses become availability to the municipality. The RRT currently is implementing Phase 1 & 2 of the IPTN. Phase 1 has further been staggered into Phase 1A, 1B AND 1C.
• Phase 1A: will cater for North Western areas of the CBD including Tlhabane, Tlhabane West, Rustenburg North and Geelhout Park. This will cover 5,3km BRT Operations, and 8 feeder routes; thus, a total of 105 km route network.
• Phase 1B: will cater for Meriting, Freedom Park, Sunrise Park. Ramochana & Boitekong Extensions 4 & 7. This phase will cover 7,6 mixed traffic operations, 4 feeders along an 88km route network.
• Phase 1C: This PHASE will cater for Protea Park, Cashan and part of Rustenburg CBD.
• Phase 2: This phase will cover Kanana. This will have 6 feeder routes covering a total distance of 70km network.
What is the total number of buses to be introduced?
• Approximately 191 standard buses will be purchased for Phase 1 and 2 routes
System features
• Service speed and reliability
• Reduced Travel Times
• Increased Hours of Operations
• Dedicated Lanes
• High capacity
• Integrated ticketing
• High Frequency services
• Air quality improvements
• Comfort: Customer service
• Security
• Safety
• Customer oriented design
When is the system launching?
We are anticipating to launch Phase 1A to go live within the second quarter of 2022.
Will Yarona be cheaper than the existing modes?
Yes. The Yarona system is about affordability, reliability, safety, accessibility and time saving.
Who are the key RRT stakeholders?
• Commuters on all modes of transport
• Affected Bus and Taxi Operations
• Motorists
• Rustenburg Residents/ citizen
• Media
• Organised Labour
• Department of Transport and other Government Departments
• Businesses
• Hospitality
• Mining houses
• Funders
• Investors
Will hawkers and vendors be allowed to trade in the stations and buses?
No hawking or selling of food and other soft goods will be allowed within the station premises or inside the buses to ensure compliance with hygiene, cleanliness, safety standards, and Covid -19 regulations. Which is a world -wide best practice.
Operating hours – Will the system operate 24 hours?
The buses will operate will be operational on a 16 hour interval in the beginning however this may change over time depending on demand and supply factors
Operating hours – Will the system operate 24 hours?
The buses will operate will be operational on a 16 hour interval in the beginning however this may change over time depending on demand and supply factors
How many stations are in Phase 1A? Why is RRT launching phase 1A only? How many bus stops are in Phase 1A and how can they be located?
There are 147 bus stops in phase 1A
How will buses be operational? What will be the distance between stations/stops from residential areas and places of work?
• The entire system is designed to bring the routes to within a 500m of 85% of the residents and work places along the routes. On average, people will walk 500m to the nearest station. For commuters that live far from the trunk routes, feeder routers, with an average station spacing of 500m will take passengers to trunk routes.
Will there be job creation?
Yes. Approximately 1000 short term jobs have already been created during constructions with more opportunities on the pipeline during the operational phases.
What Kind of jobs will be created?
General Labourers, Drivers, & Operators, Artisans & Technical Skilled persons, supervisors, Managers, Cleaners, Security, Cashiers, retailers, mechanics etc.
Are there specific benefits to the affected residents?
- Improved public transport service
- Improved quality of life through shorter travel times
- Improved air quality through lesser emissions
Will people living with disabilities be able to commute on the Yarona system?
Are the buses and stops adequately equipped to accommodate people living with disabilities?
The Yarona System is designed to accommodate people with special needs. Buses are designed to ensure easy boarding and descending for people with special abilities. Stations are designed to accommodate access requirements for people with special needs. Way finding in and around stations is also designed in a way that facilitates universal access.
How do I apply for a refund?
• Refunds can be made at Kiosks and retailers where top ups were done and proof of purchase will be required for all refunds
How much money can I load onto my Yarona Card? Can I view a statement of my Yarona Card?
• Registered users can view their statements on the Yarona App and website. A USSD code will be created as well for users to request statements
Are the residents going to pay for the project?
No. The National Department of Transport through the Public Transport Grant makes provision for part of the funding of BRT projects. The municipality are required to identify other sources of funding for the balance (i.e internal revenue, loans from commercial banks, advertising etc.)
How were the routes determined?
The potential passenger demand for the system was determined by conducting travel demand survey and using a demand model to analysis travel needs and projected future demands. This is a crucial step in the process, as demand estimates form the basis for designing the system including route alignment, planning operations and predicting viability of the system.?
What are the construction impacts?
• Road widening to add RRT lanes to the existing roadway. Where there is limited road reserve, existing lanes on the street parking will be reduced.
• Bridge have been widened to accommodate the additional RRT lanes.
• Pedestrian crossings have been constructed
• Some property will be affected, especially if there is insufficient road reserve
• Environmental issues which will be addressed through an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
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Where is the RRT depot?
Current RRT operational temporary depot is at waste management depot. We have a temporary depot at Rustenburg Show Grounds.
What is going to happen to the current Public Transport operators?
- The affected public transport operators (bus, taxi, scholar) are participating in the industry transition process, a process intended to integrate then previous vehicle operators into the Rustenburg Rapid Transit (RRT).
- The affected operators will form and manage a Bus Operating Company (BOC), with the municipality providing oversight
- The plan is that the existing operators should not be worse off when RRT begins operations. Some taxis are redeployed in RRT. A few might be disposed of in return for an equity stake in RRT.
How will RRT affect the existing public transport service?
- Public transport improvement which integrates with existing services will be run in a regulated manner.
- Yarona buses will have dedicated lanes to move passengers quickly
- Taxi services along with the IPTN routes are/will be reduced and taxis will be redeployed on feeder and distributor routes or other routes not covered by the IPTN.
What is the compensation model will be utilised to reimburse affected public operators?
Rustenburg Rapid Transport has finalised a compensation model that will integrate operators into the BOC. The compensation model is designed in a way that it does not leave any operator worse off as stipulated in the National Land and Transport Act.
Where can I access the bus?
• There are dedicated and clearly marked bus stops along the routes where passengers will be able to access the buses.
What will be the frequency or time intervals between buses?
• During peak periods, the buses will be leaving every 15 minutes and during off peak it will be every 30 minutes.
Where will commuters be able to check routes and times for the buses?
• Commuters will be able to check the routes and times for the buses on the Yarona Rustenburg App, Website and at the stations as well.
Why is RRT launching the bus without stations? Where do passengers do enquiries and complaints?
• A dedicated Customer Care Centre will be set up where passengers can call in and make enquiries and complaints. An email address will also be set up for dealing with all queries and complaints. Alternatively, passengers can lodge complaints at the bus station directly.
What are the carriage conditions?
• Yarona vehicles may not be used for the primary purpose of emergency transport and all passengers must be in good health and able to travel independent of any assistance from Yarona officials.
• Co-operate with Yarona staff at all times, be patient, respectful and responsible, and behave with common courtesy.
• Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Do not leave baggage unattended or it will be removed. All unattended baggage must be reported to Yarona staff immediately. No baggage is permitted that may cause injury or offence to any other people and no baggage items my occupy a standing or seating space.
• No toxic or inflammable products such as paraffin, petroleum, gas or spirits may be conveyed in a Yarona vehicle.
• Respect other passengers by not playing music audibly, talking loudly or using profane language. Headphones are acceptable.
• No vandalism or unauthorised advertising is allowed.
• No begging or loitering is allowed.
• No person may travel without a valid Yarona Card.
• No firearms or dangerous weapons are allowed on the bus.
• No eating, drinking or chewing gum is allowed on the bus.
• No smoking is allowed on the bus.
• No littering will be tolerated – please use bins provided.
• No passenger using the bus will be allowed to be offensive to fellow passengers or Yarona staff in manner, actions or appearance or to use language that is obscene or abusive to fellow passengers and staff.
• Do not use any force, intimidate or threaten any Yarona staff or customers.
• Do not perform any act on Yarona premises that could cause injury or endanger the life of any person or cause damage to any property.
• No hawking or informal trading is allowed.
• No animals are allowed except authorised service dogs.
• Do not distract the driver’s attention, interfere with the driver’s actions or obstruct his/her vision without reasonable cause.
Will there be job opportunities for people living with disabilities?
When recruiting, the national guideline and imperatives will be considered to accommodate people living with disabilities.
Where do passengers get to load their tickets?
• Passengers will be able to get their Yarona cards from Ticket Regulatorsand Yarona Kiosks. They can also load them from there as well
How do passengers load their tickets?
• Top-ups can be done at Yarona kiosks, retailers and informal vendors.
Does Yarona offer any discounts? How much does one trip cost?
Each trip costs R10.
Can I access a Yarona Taxi with my Ticket with no additional costs?
• You can transfer to taxi and bus services at the CBD taxi rank stop on the conner of Oliver Tambo and Beneden Street.
Help I’ve lost my Card!
• If you have lost your card, you will need to get a replacement card at the Yarona Kiosk, retailers and informal vendors at a cost. If your lost card was registered then whatever money you had on it will be transferred to the new card
