Visitors should be aware that Johannesburg, like Los Angeles, is a young and sprawling city geared to the freeway-borne private motorist, and public transport, geared mainly to the city's workers, may not be appropriate for foreign tourists.
Which doesn't mean you can't get around. Tourists arriving at at Johannesburg International Airport, a half-hour drive from most major parts of the city, will be relieved to learn that the big hotels operate their own shuttle bus services to and from the airport, which visitors are advised to make use of. Make sure you inquire about shuttle services and book your seat when you make your room reservation. Other minibus services to various key parts of the city are also available and can be booked at kiosks close to the airport entrance. These are probably the cheapest option for those not able to use hotel shuttle services. Make sure you book one of the commercial services with kiosks inside the airport - there are plenty of informal minibus services for hire at the airport, but their quality of service cannot be guaranteed.
Cars are readily available for hire at the airport, and this is the option preferred by experienced visitors to the city, for whom a car is the only flexible form of transport. There are 10 reputable car hire companies with facilities at terminal four of Johannesburg International Airport. You should have no problems finding a car to suit both your pocket and your required level of comfort and performance. Be warned, however, that the spaghetti-like freeway interchanges between the airport and the city are not easily negotiated by novices, who are liable to get lost quickly.
Metered taxis, recognisable by the yellow "taxi" lights on the car roofs, are also available at the airport. These are considerably more expensive than the bus services, but do at least ensure that visitors are dropped directly at the front doors of their destinations. Although locals tend to avoid metered taxis, foreigners may find this the quickest form of transport and the tariffs relatively affordable.
Transport in the city
THE public transport problem becomes more serious inside the city, which is why Johannesburg is best visited by those who have friends and business contacts at hand to help with transport. Johannesburgers expect to be asked to give travellers lifts, so don't feel shy about imposing yourself.
Minibus taxis
Like many African cities, Johannesburg has an informal public transport system in the form of minibus "taxis". These are not taxis in the typical Western sense of the term - they won't give you a lift to your doorstep; rather they are small-scale bus services, often unmarked, operating with neither timetables nor formal stops. Taxis are the cheapest form of transport in Johannesburg, and are the daily transport lifeline of the bulk of the working population. More adventurous travellers will find them an interesting African experience - the closest you may get to mixing with ordinary people. They are also the only form of public transport that penetrates every last sector of the city, including the poorest shack settlements.
But there are three reasons why a tourist should exercise caution. Firstly, use of the taxi system for anything other than a short drive requires an expert knowledge of the unwritten lore of hand signs indicating which taxi is travelling where, and an understanding of the various routes and how they intersect. Second, despite frequent clampdowns by the traffic authorities, minibus taxis tend to be old and in poor condition. Third, minibus taxi drivers, rushing their fares to their destinations as quickly as possible in order to maximise returns, are the city's most notorious drivers, ducking wildly from lane to lane and stopping without warning whenever a passenger wishes to climb on or off.
Metered taxis
There are conventional metered taxis, but unlike in many other countries these do not cruise the streets in search of passengers, and must generally be summonsed by telephone. Major hotels do often reserve bays for taxi companies, however, and in those that don't, reception staff can quickly make arrangements for visitors.
Cabs for Women
Cabs for Women is a meter taxi service driven by professional women drivers.
This service is available to men, women, and children.
First and foremost we value exceptional customer service, and you can feel secure in the knowledge that you will be greeted by a uniformed, professional women driver and delivered safely to your destination. Our call centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To book a cab - 0861 777 778.
To visit us - www.cabsforwomen.co.za
Railway system
The metro railway system is the cheapest form of transport, connecting central Johannesburg to Soweto, Pretoria and most of the satellite towns along the Witwatersrand. The railways transport huge numbers of workers every day. But once again there is a problem, at least for the typical tourist. The railway infrastructure was built in Johannesburg's infancy and covers only the older areas in the city's south. In the past half century Johannesburg has grown largely northwards, and none of the northern areas, including the key business districts of Sandton, Midrand, Randburg and Rosebank, have any rail infrastructure.
Bus services
The city's bus service was once the centre of the local public transport system, but competition from the private car and minibus taxis drove it into decline, and it was close to collapse two years ago. The new city council has made it a priority to regenerate the bus service, with a five-year plan to upgrade the fleet and increase the number of routes. There are now over 550 buses plying 80 routes in six sectors of the city, with the main emphasis on providing affordable transport in lower-income areas. A "City Slicker" programme, which is being expanded, provides tours of the city in open-topped buses. But for the average tourist planning simply to get from A to B, it may be a little while yet before the bus service provides a solution.
Metro Bus Routes
Fares and Pricing
Metrobus has divided its coverage of the city into concentric zones, radiating out from the CBD.
Most of the routes start from the inner city bus terminals in Zone 1, with longer trips traversing a number of different zones. For example, a trip from the CBD to Midrand could cross different zones up to eight times.
Bus fares are controlled by the City council and the fee structure is set out in a council by-law. Metrobus aims to keep the service affordable, with fare increases within the inflation rate.
The number of zones a commuter crosses determines the fare, with ticket prices varying from zone to zone.
Prepaid tags
It is cheaper to use prepaid tags rather than pay cash. The different coloured Metrobus tags are similar to prepaid phone cards and can be bought at Computicket outlets at:
Gandhi Square
Park Station
Civic Theatre
Rosebank Mall
Sanlam Centre
Cresta
Westgate
Eastgate
Southgate
Sandton City
Fourways Mall
The Glen
Balfour Park
A once-off fee for the tag is payable and the top-up amount is then recorded on the tag and deducted as bus trips are made. Different tags are available depending on the commuter's particular needs, with special rates for pensioners, learners and disabled people.
Adult commuters who use the buses daily are issued green tags. Green tags are available for: 52 trips monthly, 44 trips monthly, 14 trips weekly, 12 trips weekly and 10 trips weekly.
School children use red tags that can be preloaded with a specific number of bus trips. The children then do not have to carry money for fares. Red tags are available in: a 130-trip term ticket, 44 trips monthly, 10 trips weekly and the stored value.
People with disabilities use a yellow prepaid tag, which is valid for a period of three months.
Pensioners use black tags, which are valid for a year. They receive a 50 percent discount on their bus trips.
Infrequent users can use a stored value tag that works like a debit card. The commuter tells the driver the number of zones to be travelled and the amount is then deducted from the tag. Passengers get a 10 percent discount on their bus fares but these are not transferable. The maximum amount on the stored value tag is R500. The stored value has no expiry date.
Commuters forfeit all unused trips after the expiry date and will forfeit unused trips when changing between the denominations.
Commuters who use the tag system and who need to transfer from one bus route to another must do so within two hours of the tag being scanned. This regulation excludes those commuters using stored value tags or pensioner and physically challenged tags. Commuters must retain their tickets of the initial journey.
To activate the tag, the number of zones to be travelled need to be loaded on to the tag. Passengers can only travel in the zones that have been loaded on the tag. The tag is not restricted to specific calendar weeks or months - it can be used at any time. If a tag is lost, stolen or misplaced, its loss can be reported and it will be barred from further use.
All of the tags are equipped with a 10-minute "pass-back" feature, which means that once the tag is swiped, it cannot be used again for 10 minutes. This feature is intended to prevent fraud. All of the tags also have a transfer option, which allows passengers to transfer to a second bus within two hours to complete a journey.
Driving in South Africa
SOUTH AFRICANS drive on the left-hand side of the road. The speed limit in built up areas is usually 60 km/hr, although this is sometimes raised to 80 km/hr depending on the number of lanes and proximity of buildings. Check the road signs. The usual speed limit on highways is 120 km/hr. Most road surfaces are in good condition and should present no problems.
Traffic in Johannesburg can become congested during the morning and afternoon rush hours from 6.30am to 8.30am and 4pm to 6pm. At these times the notorious tactics of minibus taxi drivers can cause tempers to rise, but it is best to avoid confrontation.
Gauteng Transport and Travel
Gauteng Airports and Airlines
LEOAIR
Our air charter division currently operates from Wonderboom in Pretoria and Nelspruit. We operate various aircraft, fixed wing and helicopter, and we can cater for anything between 1 and 28 passengers to any destination in Southern Africa.
http://www.leoair.com
SA Express Airlines
SA Express Airlines is one of the most successful and fastest growing regional airlines in South Africa catering for both the business and leisure traveller by offering flights to most destinations in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
http://www.saexpress.co.za
Gauteng Airport Transfers - Luxury Vehicle, Bus, Helicopter Charter and Transfer Services
Airport Shuttle
Airport Shuttle -- Johannesburg International Airport -- covers the entire Johannesburg and Pretoria area and also offers transfers to the Kruger National Park and Sun City (Pilanesberg). Custom designed tours and transfers can also be arranged.
http://www.airportshuttle.co.za
AfricaWheels.com
A Flexible transfer service is available catering exclusively for the corporate and inbound market with luxury Airport Transfer Services -- provided from Johannesburg International Airport to Hotels, Guest Houses, Lodges, Private Homes or Offices.
http://www.africawheels.com
Sunrise Aviation
Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Sunrise Aviation offers a helicopter charter service including chartered airport transfers, corporate and VIP charters, scenic adventure flights and helicopter safaris throughout South Africa and Mozambique.
http://www.sunrisehelicopters.co.za
Gauteng Bus Services
Greyhound
Greyhound offers luxury coach travel to many of Southern Africa's cities and towns that is safe and affordable.
http://www.greyhound.co.za
Gauteng Bus Routes
Citybug
Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Citybug offers: Transfers, Shuttle and Buses for hire - various intercity trips between Nelspruit and Johannesburg, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein and Durban - Chauffeur service offered at KMIA, Kruger Park...
http://www.citybug.co.za
Gauteng Car Rentals
Citi Car Hire
Citi Car Hire offers economical and budget car rental, Bicycle hire and shuttle services in South Africa. We have an agent in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, East London and a dedicated office in Durban, and facilitate rentals countrywide.
http://www.citicarhire.co.za
Gauteng Chauffeur Car Hire
AfricaWheels.com
Luxury E Class Mercedes are available for hire for services ranging from chauffeured transfers to chauffeured overland daily trips from an efficient and sophisticated operation.
http://www.africawheels.com
Gauteng Coach Hire
AfricaWheels.com
Coaches are available for hire for services ranging from transfers to overland daily trips from an efficient and sophisticated operation.
http://www.africawheels.com
Gauteng Motorhome Hire
Maui Motorhome Rentals - South Africa
Maui Rentals specialise in RV rentals, motorhome hire, campervan & 4X4 rental in South Africa. Enjoy independent & convenient travel with a hired campervan, rental car 4x4 or recreation vehicle rental.
http://www.maui.co.za
Buffalo Campers - South Africa
Buffalo Camper South Africa is a motorhome & 4x4 hire company, owned and operated by Vaughan Corlett, with premises in Randburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng. We have been in successful operation since 1992 offering reliable vehicles and service.
http://www.buffalo.co.za
Gauteng Taxis and Mini Bus Hire
AfricaWheels.com
Mini Bus Coaches are available for services ranging from transfers to overland daily trips from an efficient and sophisticated operation.
http://www.africawheel
