The City of Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor, Parks Tau, explains how October’s car-free month will work in the popular office and shopping suburb of Sandton. 

Streets across Sandton will be closed off for the entire month of October, while the City of Johannesburg hosts the world’s second ever ‘EcoMobility World Festival and Exhibition’– a month-long car-free district event.

The City of Johannesburg has been working with the Sandton Management District over the last two years to implement a new Sandton Transport Master Plan, which will introduce the bus rapid transit system (BRT), cycle lanes and improved public transport to the Sandton CBD. Road closures in Sandton will take place in October during the EcoMobility World Festival and Exhibition. “For members of the public, this will make public transport more accessible and reduce the need to use a car to come into the Sandton CBD,” says Tau.

An integrated operational plan has been developed that identifies the most appropriate routes for BRT, Metrobus, Putco, minibus taxis, and metered taxis. In addition to existing services, the city is recapitalising Metrobus with 150 new buses.

The city is discussing with owners of various shopping malls to host park-and-ride facilities for Gautrain buses, Rea Vaya or Metrobus. These include: Brightwater Commons, Montecasino, Waterfall, Nicolway, and Morningside Glen. Most park and rides will cost R10.

For people who finish work late, there will be drop off services, such as electric tuk tuks and minibuses, that will be available to transport them to their cars.

To make walking easier, sidewalks along the Sandton Gautrain Station will be redone and widened and a bike lane will be added along the route.

Alternative transport will include:

• Park and Rides in nearby areas and transport with tuk tuks, pedicabs and electric vehicles
• Additional public transport including new Metrobuses
• Newly constructed and pop up cycle lanes.
• Arrangements will be made for deliveries, waste removal, emergency vehicles, the elderly and the disabled.

<Subhead> The festival road closure plan

Maude Street (between Rivonia and Fifth)

• Closed for private vehicles (with arrangements for deliveries, etc.)
• Cycle lane is being constructed between Rivonia and West (coming from Alexandra, via Linden)

West Street (between Rivonia and Fredman)

• Closed for private vehicles (with arrangements for deliveries etc)
• Will be reconstructed with increased sidewalks, cycle lanes, and street furniture.

Rivonia, Fredman, Fifth

• Temporary public transport loop
• Lanes to be removed according to how many pedestrians need to be accommodated  
• Remainder of road will be open for vehicular traffic
• Pop-up landscaping, bus stops and shelters for public transport users

Alice Lane

• Closed for private vehicles (with arrangements for deliveries etc)
• To be used as test track for exhibition

Gwen Lane

• Closed for private vehicles (with arrangements for deliveries etc)
• To be used for food festival and other street activities.