Six new buses are adapted for disabled commuters (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

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Metrobus gets new buses Some 90 new buses have been delivered to Metrobus, including six that have been adapted for physically disabled commuters and two luxury coaches. January 29, 2007 By Lucky Sindane A FLEET of shiny new buses are cruising down Joburg's busy streets – and six are specially adapted for physically disabled commuters. Metrobus, the City bus company, has taken delivery of 90 new buses from DaimlerChrysler, the vehicle manufacturer, which will go some way towards meeting the increasing demand for public transport ahead of the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup. The first batch of 38 Mercedes Benz buses was delivered last year during Public Transport Month. The delivery is part of Metrobus's Road to 2010 and Beyond initiative. "Last year we ordered 128 buses from DaimlerCyrysler at a cost of R1-million each," said Metrobus's acting general manager, Charles Hlabela. "This has increased the total number of our buses to 498." Six of the new buses are fitted with hydraulic wheelchair lifts for easy access for physically disabled people. Two are luxury coaches fitted with coffee makers, air conditioning, DVD and CD players, fridges, PA systems and luggage compartments. The new Metrobus buses (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg) Hlabela said that the demand for more buses that could accommodate physically disabled commuters was very high. "We are working very hard to address this problem." Metrobus is phasing out its old double-decker buses, some of which have been on the road for more than 25 years. The City also recently unveiled its new bus system, the Bus Rapid Transport system, which is expected to revolutionalise public transport in Johannesburg. It includes new buses, dedicated public transport lanes and new routes – all at a low cost – and should be up and running by 2009. The R2-billion project is intended to reduce traffic on Joburg's roads while improving service – at no extra cost to commuters. The new 160-seater buses will be operated by Metrobus and other contracted operators. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za