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The City of Johannesburg on Tuesday officially unveiled Africa’s largest intermodal transport hub - the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange (JITI) on the west of Park Station in Newtown for long distance commuters.

The unveiling, which coincides with the Transport Month of October, was led by the Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Moerane, who was accompanied by the portfolio project owner, Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba.

They were joined by MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Thapelo Amad, MMC for Finance, Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe and MMC for Economic Development, Cllr Thomas Mofokeng, to receive the facility from the Joburg Development Agency (JDA) ahead of its opening for operations early in 2022. The transport facility investment is in line with the Joburg Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) 2040.

The JITI, which is a state-of-the-art facility, had been under construction for a couple of years and was finally handed over to Mayor Moerane and MMC Makhuba – after it was given the greenlight for use by long distance transport operators and commuters in the new year. 

At 50 000m², the JITI will see approximately 1500 travellers per day arrive or depart to destinations within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions of Africa.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mayor Moerane said: “JITI is a long-term investment that forms part of the inner-city Development Plan designed to create accessible, safe and reliable public transport with convenient connectivity to different modes of transport”.

“The facility boasts a bus terminal for cross border buses as well as ranking and holding space for 800 taxis; ranking space for 158 taxis and ranking for 20 buses. The facility in addition has over 3 300m² space devoted to trading for both large retail outlets and informal traders, banks, ticketing offices and food courts” the Mayor said.

The modern architectural design of the JITI also include a recreational facility that will provide a safe space for programmes aimed at the development of fundamental skills like reading and writing. It also has room for sport and other physical activity and health programmes to stimulate growth and development in the surrounding community, which has changed the landscape of Ward 73 of Johannesburg.

Mayor Moerane said: “As the City, we are pleased to take receipt of the JITI from JDA after just over 48 months of construction. Not only did we wish to build a world-class facility, but we also had the clear objective to create employment opportunities for businesses.”

Through the JITI investment, 28 small to medium enterprises were contracted at the commencement of the facility development. 

“As the City, we expect that all law enforcement agencies that will be stationed inside the interchange full-time will play their role in ensuring that laws that relate to the management of an influx of foreign nationals and compliance with customs regulations are enforced,” Mayor Moerane said.

The facility is designed not only for travellers and their needs but operators as well with restrooms and showers. There is clear static and electronic signage indicating arrival and departure of buses and minibus taxis, booking offices as well as a website and App listing bus and minibus taxi services and schedules. 

A sophisticated access control system will make sure that travellers will only use vehicles that have the correct operating licenses and vehicle fitness certificates. 

A law enforcement officer on the facility will be readily accessible for passengers to complain or escalate incidents. It will also conduct regular enforcement campaigns and blitzes. 

Mayor Moerane added: “As the City, we expect that all law enforcement agencies that will be stationed inside the interchange full-time play their role in ensuring that laws that relate to the management of an influx of foreign nationals and compliance with customs regulations are enforced.” 

To minimize any criminal activity, the JITI will also be guarded by CCTV cameras throughout the facility. 

The JITI handover was later followed by the opening of The Paterson Park Multipurpose Precinct in Norwood. Also a state-of-the-art precinct, the facility boasts a wide range of sporting and recreational facilities that include a mini football stadium with a full-size pitch and seating capacity of about 400 people. 

It also has an indoor high-performance centre with a fully equipped gymnasium and two Astro football courts. This is alongside five combi courts with a pavilion, a 25m by 15m swimming pool with a grandstand for spectators and a splash pool, as well as a 150-seater amphitheatre style hall.  

The precinct, in addition, has a fully resourced library with eLearning connectivity. The City’s eLearning in library services is not just about online learning, but it is also the support provided by libraries through electronic tools such as computers, tablets and the free Joburg wifi. The City’s new libraries now also have eLearning classrooms and training on how to access digital content. 

The multipurpose facility will see to the benefit of communities in Norwood, Orchards, Orange Grove, and adjacent neighbourhoods.

Issued by the City of Johannesburg