Dedicated bus lanes separated from normal traffic by concrete barriers are almost complete on the R27 between Paarden Eiland and Blaauwberg. But the new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) infrastructure has got Capetonians asking questions about what will happen if buses break down in their special lanes.

IRT operating companies will work in partnership with bus manufacturers on a well-managed maintenance schedule under strict contractual obligations from the City of Cape Town. This will ensure its vehicles remain in much better condition than citizens have experienced from public transport in the past. However residents are right to note that accidents can and do happen.

The good news is that, unlike cars, IRT buses can easily drive over the concrete delineators separating them from the traffic, because of their large wheels and suspension. In addition the IRT system as a whole will be able to adapt to circumstances in ways that will make it one of the most reliable forms of public transport available.

The IRT is flexible in that its buses can operate both in normal traffic and on dedicated roads that have varying degrees of priority over other road users at intersections.

IRT buses will be able to take a wide range of special measures in the event of an emergency, with help from the central control room that will oversee the entire IRT system in the new Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood. Additionally, unlike cars, the IRT buses are not restricted to their part of the road.

If a bus driver starts having problems they can immediately inform the central control room with an emergency button. The control room will also monitor all the buses on an ongoing basis and may notice that a bus has slowed down in an unexpected way via the GPS tracking system that monitors all buses. The control room will then dispatch assistance, which will be able to make its way rapidly to the scene of the accident by using the dedicated bus lanes.

While waiting, the driver can, if possible, move their bus across the concrete delineators into normal traffic, and then into the road reserve to wait for assistance. If a bus cannot move at all and needs to be towed, buses immediately behind will still be able to pass by moving out of the bus lane and into normal traffic lanes across the concrete delineators.

At the same time, the control room can direct buses that have not yet reached that stretch of bus lane to reroute through the general traffic lane, or through side roads, and then join the IRT lane back at the next intersection.

In order to keep delays at a minimum, if buses are late for any reason the control room can help them to move faster along the route by using the traffic signalling system to give buses a slight priority over ordinary traffic at the pre-signalling systems that are installed before intersections