Johannesburg Launches October Transport Month
The City of Johannesburg officially launched October Transport Month 2026 on Thursday, celebrating its 21st anniversary under the theme “Working Together Through Public-Private Partnerships” as South Africa marks 32 years of democracy.
The campaign, which runs throughout October, aims to showcase robust service delivery across all modes of transportation while mobilising both public and private sector participation to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, stimulate economic growth, promote sustainable job creation, and foster social development .
SEVEN CORE OBJECTIVES
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, Councillor Kenny Kunene, announced seven core objectives for this year’s campaign:
Promote Universal Access – Collaborating directly with persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive transport networks .
Enhance Road Safety – Implementing a reward system to recognise and incentivise the best-performing public transport drivers.
Foster Career Development – Conducting educational outreach programmes at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and the Transport Museum to promote transport-related careers to youth.
Accelerate Infrastructure Repairs – Encouraging public-private partnerships to fast-track the maintenance of traffic lights and road networks .
Address Environmental and Health Impacts – Raising awareness about the direct correlation between road transport emissions and public health .
Promote Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) – Encouraging active mobility alternatives such as cycling and walking .
Improve Commuter Safety – Launching free Wi-Fi connectivity across Rea Vaya stations to improve digital inclusion and passenger security.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL BACKUP POWER PARTNERSHIP
Kunene announced that he would unveil the Traffic Signal Backup Power Supply (TSBPS) Partnership with Wits University on Thursday. The work entailed upgraded traffic signals, underground chambers, pedestrian countdown timer signals, audible pushbuttons, and lane lights in seven intersecting streets in Braamfontein .
The initiative aligns with the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s broader Traffic Signal Backup Power Initiative, which has seen the JRA partner with more than 40 companies to power 113 intersections during load shedding and power outages. In Sandton Central alone, partnerships have resulted in over 85% of traffic light intersections being powered during outages .
The JRA oversees a vast network of 2,023 signalised intersections, comprising over 16,000 poles, 100,000 LED bulbs, and 2,023 controller boxes. The agency faces more than 360 cases of vandalism and theft, with a backlog of repairs exceeding R70 million .
FREE WI-FI AT REA VAYA STATIONS
The free Wi-Fi rollout at Rea Vaya stations is a key component of the City’s broader digital rehabilitation programme, led by the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC). With 35 BRT stations now online, the initiative aims to enhance productivity, provide entertainment, facilitate information access, and strengthen social connections for thousands of residents .
“Internet data remains a high-priced commodity in this country, making it unaffordable for most of our community members,” Kunene said. “This intervention aims to assist residents with Internet access for communication, research, and other crucial services”.
