Public transport is the misbegotten stepsister of our development programme.

Public transport is the misbegotten stepsister of our development programme.

So hats off to Joburg for its ambitious integrated public-transport scheme, based on a bus rapid-transit system dubbed Rea Vaya.

But what were our transport planners thinking by snatching two lanes on most of Joburg's main arteries? These lanes will be dedicated to massive 160-seater buses traversing the city by 2009.

These same roads are already overwhelmed by traffic. Halving their capacity will only increase the frustration of those who must rely on cars to conduct their business.

Our urban planners must overcome their idealism and understand that many rely on cars in a way that public transport can't match. Pushing cars off the road will lead to chaos and economic meltdown.