Volvo Bus Southern Africa delivered the first units that will form part of the Tshwane Rapid Transport (TRT) system at the beginning of May. The system, called A Re Yeng, which means ‘Let’s Go’, will be inaugurated in July.

Across the world, cities are looking to reduce congestion and emissions by implementing relatively low-cost public transport alternatives such as Bus Rapid Transport Systems. The

City of Tshwane is the fourth major city in South Africa to implement an official BRT system, following in the footsteps of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay.

Of the 131 buses, 85 will be rigid 12-metre units, while the remaining 46 will be 18-metre articulated vehicles for the TRT system.

Volvo SA was contracted to deliver 131 buses to Tshwane by 2016. The delivery of the first 30 buses for the inception phase of the TRT system will be completed by the end of May. Of the 131 buses, 85 will be rigid 12-metre units, while the remaining 46 will be 18-metre articulated vehicles.

The rigid 12-metre Volvo B9L low-floor bus chassis with Marcopolo Gran Viale bodies are equipped with diesel-powered Euro V engines. “This order is a breakthrough in the South African market as these are the first full low-floor BRT buses manufactured and delivered in Africa,” said Marius Botha, General Manager of the bus division at Volvo Southern Africa. “The chassis kits are assembled at our plant in Durban and then Marcopolo carries out the bodybuilding process near Johannesburg.”