Opportunity
Within the eThekwini community of KwaZulu-Natal, this involves commuter rail, bus and minibus taxi services being upgraded to a more sustainable rail and bus rapid transit network, complemented by feeder bus and other local connections.
Solution
Our team led the systems design and provided vehicle specifications and environmental assessments. The IRPTN, made up of nine corridors, is being rolled out in three phases. The first includes three routes, with 450 buses operating from three depots, serving 51 bus stations. With a partner architect, we designed the size and layout of the transport operations centre (TOC), which will control the IRPTN. Flexibility and scalability were key in the building design and core system specifications to enable the TOC to control an expanding network and take on new functions.
Outcome
The IRPTN was resilient and cost-effective from day one. It has been designed in anticipation of new standards to safeguard investment and interoperability between systems. The result: a future-proof transport system that is already benefiting residents and workers in eThekwini, and boosting the local economy.