And The Winner Is…

Spanish football fans are celebrating in the streets, while in The Netherlands they are drowning their sorrows, but the real winners of the 2010 World Cup are the people of South Africa. Long after the last vuvuzela is sounded, residents and visitors will enjoy the legacy of new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems build in South Africa’s four major cities.  

2 minute read

July 12, 2010, 9:27 AM PDT

By Todd Litman


Spanish football fans are celebrating in the streets, while in The Netherlands they are drowning their sorrows, but the real winners of the 2010 World Cup are the people of South Africa. Long after the last vuvuzela is sounded, residents and visitors will enjoy the legacy of new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems build in South Africa's four major cities.

 

 

 

These BRT systems received little media attention during the games, which is good because transport systems are generally considered news only when something goes wrong. With few exceptions (there was one wildcat strike by drivers which left some fans stranded) the BRT systems operated as planned, successfully carrying tens of thousands of fans to the various venues safely and on schedule.

 

 

 

The BRT systems are game-changers, particularly for the many working poor living in townships, who can now travel with comfort, safety and affordability. For example, in the past, a trip from the township of Soweto to the city of Johannesburg cost typically more than 10 Rand on a crowded minibus, but on the new Rea Vaya ("We are Moving") BRT line they are 5 Rand, or 8 Rand for unlimited transfers within two hours. After paying commuting costs, a minimum-wage worker earning 6.88 Rand now brings home 45 Rand, compared with the previous 35 Rand, an 18% increase in income, plus faster speeds and greater comfort. 

BRT systems have an interesting business model. The government owns and operates the bus lanes and stations, but private companies, usually worker cooperatives, own and operate the vehicles. The operators' profits and wages are based on the quality of service they provide, they are financially rewarded for courtesy, safe driving and clean vehicles.

The mini-bus operators initially opposed the new systems, resulting in violence against BRT operators and passengers, but after extended and difficult negotiations, last month Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo finalized an agreement for minibus operators to become shareholders in the new BRT operating company. Similar agreements are taking place in other cities.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, these systems will provide a model for high quality public transit service throughout Africa. Of course, there is still much to do. None of the BRT systems is complete, and to be truly successful they must be integrated with other transport system components and land use to create more livable and sustainable communities, but they are off to a very good start.

Congratulations World Cup winners: South Africans!


Todd Litman

Todd Litman is founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transport problems. His work helps to expand the range of impacts and options considered in transportation decision-making, improve evaluation methods, and make specialized technical concepts accessible to a larger audience. His research is used worldwide in transport planning and policy analysis.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

Write for Planetizen