Roads and transport in Johannesburg council, March 2025 to September 2026

What this record covers

This page covers 32 chapters tagged roads and transport across 17 sitting days of City of Johannesburg council, from 26 March 2025 to 30 September 2026. Only transcribed sittings are covered, and the topic includes roads, potholes, traffic lights, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, public transport, Rea Vaya and Metrobus.

Budget allocations for roads and the JRA

In the adjustment budget debate on 27 March 2025, an EFF speaker welcomed allocations to JRA and Metrobus. 27 Mar 06:51:33 Councillor Marema said Congress of the People supported the adjustment budget on 27 March 2025, citing Metrobus and JRA gravel roads. 27 Mar 07:07:17

In the budget speech on 28 May 2025, Cllr Arnolds (AIC) said the three-year budget allocated R2.8 billion to the Johannesburg Road Agency for corridor upgrades and stormwater. 28 May 01:14:34 promise Cllr Arnolds also named bridge rehabilitation, traffic signal upgrades and road projects in the 28 May 2025 budget speech. 28 May 01:14:34

In the 28 May 2025 budget speech, Cllr Arnolds said the first phase of the Lilian Ngoyi Street rehabilitation, led by the Johannesburg Road Agency, would be completed by 30 August 2025. 28 May 01:14:34 promise At the 30 September 2025 sitting, a speaker on Transport items 25 to 34 said Lilian Ngoyi phase one 'sits at 75% of the work done'. promise 30 Sept 01:31:45 An automated check linked that 30 September 2025 remark to the Lilian Ngoyi Street promise and rated the promise late or dropped. promise

A City of Johannesburg newsroom article of 18 September 2026 on the Lilian Ngoyi Rehabilitation project said the 450m stretch between Harrison and Wanderers streets reopened to traffic in September 2025. City, 18 Sept An automated reading of the 18 September 2026 City article on Lilian Ngoyi took it to say the City reports the work as done. City, 18 Sept

In the 27 May 2026 budget speech, Cllr Loyiso Masuku said the budget allocates R1.8 billion for roads and stormwater operations and R570 million for road capital investment. 27 May 00:53:01 promise On 27 August 2026 a DA councillor asked about the plan, budget and timeline for upgrading about 1,040 km of untarred roads. 27 Aug 00:13:50 The Deputy Executive Mayor replied on 27 August 2026 that just under R40 million is available for the gravel roads programme and that no specific President Park programme exists. 27 Aug 00:13:50 Cllr Masuku said JRA would ask in the December adjustment budget for more money for road design work and higher medium-term allocations for roads. 27 Aug 00:13:50 promise

Rea Vaya buses, contracts and public participation

On 29 May 2025 Cllr Kreusch (DA) cited the cut to the Public Transport Network Grant affecting Rea Vaya and said the DA would never support the budget. 29 May 07:15:36 Item 50 on 31 July 2025 asked for user rights of 68 buses for Alexandra Bus Company for Rea Vaya Phase 1C(a) interim services. 31 Jul 03:49:35 Cllr Kreusch questioned the R18 million versus R10 million figures on item 50, the R32 million refurbishment, the interest-free repayment model and the absence of Section 79 scrutiny. 31 Jul 03:49:35 Cllr Mokoka (ActionSA) asked that item 50 be referred back to Section 79, citing an unsecured R69.5 million investment. 31 Jul 03:58:03

MMC Mnisi replied on item 50 that the buses cost R18 million and that the R10 million figure related to the public participation threshold. 31 Jul 04:11:38 MMC Mnisi said R32 million was for refurbishing and reconfiguring buses bought in Mbombela to Rea Vaya specification, and asked council to approve the item 50 report. 31 Jul 04:11:38

On 30 September 2025 Cllr Zitha (EFF) questioned the seven-year, R3.1 billion Litsamaiso Rea Vaya contract under item 43, while the EFF supported noting the report. 30 Sept 04:30:12 Item 34 on 3 December 2025, authorising concurrent management of a public participation process under MFMA s33, was agreed with no count announced. 03 Dec 00:57:15 The EFF supported item 34 on 3 December 2025, citing a long-term right of use of the Dobsonville depots for the bus operating company. 03 Dec 00:51:40

On 26 August 2026 the DA said it did not support item 9, the Rea Vaya Phase 1A Bus Operating Company public participation notice. 26 Aug 06:47:24 The DA cited R3.2 billion in costs over seven years against R820 million in returns on item 9, and MMC Mgcina said the questions would be escalated. 26 Aug 06:47:24

Transport, JRA, Metrobus and MTC reports

Council debated reports on the Transport Department, JRA, Metrobus and the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC) on 26 March 2025, 30 September 2025, 2 December 2025 and 22 July 2026. 26 Mar 07:35:11 30 Sept 01:27:47 02 Dec 07:45:29 22 Jul 07:17:01 On 26 March 2025 councillors commented on Rea Vaya 1C delays, JRA finances and Metrobus fleet availability, and Cllr Mavhona said the ANC noted the Metrobus report with concern. 26 Mar 07:35:11 26 Mar 08:00:42

On 30 September 2025 Cllr Rohlssen (ACDP) raised the Champagne and Platina bridges and asked the executive for emergency funding for JRA. 30 Sept 01:31:45 Cllr Boer (FF+) said on 30 September 2025 that JRA's report looked better than the state of roads, citing road closures in Region C. 30 Sept 01:31:45 Cllr Maureen Mnisi (DA) raised blocked stormwater drains in Protea South, Ward 10, and said the DA would demand clear repair timelines and escalate the matter to the Section 79 Oversight Committee. 30 Sept 01:41:57 promise

On 2 December 2025 Cllr Ntlemeza (ActionSA) said the Transport Department spent R0 of its R573 million capital budget in the first quarter. 02 Dec 07:55:15 Cllr Benjamin (DA) said on 2 December 2025 that JRA repairs and maintenance stood at 0.59% against a 7% target, and cited a R676.9 million deficit. 02 Dec 08:00:10 A speaker said the Transport MMC was not present on 2 December 2025, and MMC Tshwaku later gave the response. 02 Dec 08:00:10

On 22 July 2026 the ACDP, DA, FF+ and ActionSA raised unpaid contractors, potholes, faulty traffic signals and MFMA breaches on items 27 to 33. 22 Jul 07:17:01 A DA speaker stated that Transport MMC Kunene was absent for items 27 to 33 on 22 July 2026, and the reports were agreed by voice with no numbers announced. 22 Jul 07:17:01

On 30 September 2026 item 13, an addendum to the MTC Service Delivery Agreement, was carried with 114 yes, 91 no and 2 abstentions. 30 Sept 00:58:17 Cllr Kreusch (DA) opposed item 13 on 30 September 2026, arguing MTC should be reincorporated into the city and services internalised. 30 Sept 00:58:17

Electric buses, clean air and transport facilities

On 30 October 2025 council approved item 7, a no-cost electric bus demonstration with C40 Cities for Metrobus and Rea Vaya, and the DA stated it would abstain. 30 Oct 05:16:07 30 Oct 05:35:51 MMC Kunene responded on item 7 about grid instability, route suitability and the lifetime costs of electric versus diesel buses. 30 Oct 05:35:51

On 25 June 2026 the DA, ActionSA, EFF and ANC supported item 65, a feasibility study on management models for granting user rights at public transport facilities. 25 Jun 01:32:52 On 30 September 2026 council carried item 2, the Draft Clean Air Zone Policy, with GOOD voting no; the MMC's reply covered hybrid Rea Vaya buses and EV charging stations. 30 Sept 04:22:17

Road motions withdrawn

Motion 2 on fixing and opening Webber Street in Selby, Ward 124, was withdrawn by its proposer Councillor Mnyameni on 27 March 2025. 27 Mar 04:40:12 Councillor Mokoka withdrew Motion 3, on a feasibility study for expanding Link Road at Eyethu Mall in Orange Farm, in the interest of time on 27 March 2025. 27 Mar 04:40:12 On 30 September 2026 Cllr Nkonyeni (ActionSA) withdrew a motion on traffic calming at Clarendon Place near Williston Court, Hillbrow, saying it would be politicised. 30 Sept 10:06:35