Following a week-long tour of four cities in South Africa, Inas Mazhar believes the country that will host next year's Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup is up to the mammoth task South Africa Minister of Transportation Jeff Adabeye, 2010 South Africa Local Organising Committee (SALOC) CEO Danny Jordan and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke joined the media on a transportation road show around Johannesburg to see the progress being made in the new network system planned for the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup. The tour took the media to transportation projects taking place around the city of Johannesburg on roads, trains and metro stations and bridges. Following the two-hour tour, a two- hour media briefing and an open session was held where Adabeye and his officials spoke more in detail about the government's projects to improve the transportation system and to ensure the smooth movement of fans, FIFA officials and media for the 2010 World Cup. "To meet the demand, South Africa is transforming its public transport system with the aim not only of providing adequate, safe and reliable transport for the FIFA World Cup, but also to leave a lasting legacy for all South Africans. The country is also upgrading its road, rail and air infrastructure as part of a multi-million dollar infrastructure programme to meet the needs of a growing economy. This investment will ensure that it has the infrastructural capacity to host the tournament. "The 2010 Transport Action Plan integrates transport, security, emergency response and socio economic development," Adabeye added. The broad principles of the 2010 Transport Action Plan are to accelerate existing transport plans and maximise existing transport infrastructure; improve public transport and promote its use; integrate existing transport services; and accelerate the implementation of economic and sustainable government development policies. The department has also developed the Initial Transport Operational Plan (INTOP). These two important guideline documents are being used by the nine host cities to develop the 2010 Transport Infrastructure and Systems plans and budgets and also to develop the 2010 Transport Operational Plans. "These plans were submitted to FIFA, along with the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (OC) Transportation Concept, and the Department of Transport (COT) Sector Plan, in June 2008. The OC, DOT and host cities are now implementing the Infrastructure and Systems Plans as well as enhancing the Operational Plans. The latter will be applied during the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 to ensure that South Africa moves towards operational readiness for 2010." Adabeye also revealed that the South African government is investing in excess of $61 billion into the transport business in the five-year period from 2005-2006 and 2009-2010. "This investment comprises a dedicated $1.4 billion allocation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which has been allocated to host cities (and the commuter rail agency and roads agency) to improve public transportation systems ahead of the event. "The rest of the funds are allocated to national transport agencies including $2.5 billion to the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) to improve the airport network capacity, $2.3 billion to the National Roads Agency to improve the freeway system in congested areas, $2.6 billion to the Gauteng province for the world class rapid rail in system (Gautrain), $1.8 billion to the Commuter Rail Corporation to transform the commuter and inter-city rail systems, and $7 billion to national, provincial and municipal roads authorities to upgrade and maintain the road network system." Adabeye said a number of public transport projects are currently being implemented to fundamentally transform the South African public transport system. "This will help prioritise public transport as a preferred mode of travel in cities, improve access and convenience, improve safety, introduce inter-modalism in travel patterns and expose commuters to public transport information at levels not applied before." Projects being rolled out at host cities include public transport corridors; bus rapid transit systems which will see frequent buses travelling bus-only roadways, with separate, secure stations and pre-boarding fare collection; commuter rail upgrades and rolling stock improvements to elevate the level of rail services; inter-city rail system improvements in selected corridors for 2010; inter-modal and modal public transport facility development to provide main public transport hubs to connect regional and local transport services and to implement a feeder and distribution system that will ensure the use of each mode of transport according to its strengths; the pedestrianisation of precincts and routes, particularly in communities, city centres and in routes that connect main transport hubs with stadia; and airport expansions to increase passenger movement capacity. The projects are being worked on in the host cities Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tshwane-Pretoria, Nelson Mandela Bay-Port Elizabeth, Mbombela-Nelspruit, Rustenburg, Mangaung- Bloemfontein and Polokwane. "South Africa has a solid aviation infrastructure. ACSA is busy with a $2 billion airport- infrastructure expansion programme to meet standard projected growth. This includes major expansion projects at OR Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport and a new airport to be completed by 2010 in Durban- King Shaka. Temporary intervention in air space, airports and air-traffic operations will accommodate the surge of visitors in 2010. "The 2010 FIFA World Cup will accelerate South Africa's use of intelligent transport systems. This involves the use of technology to manage congestion, incident response and travel demand. Integrated electronic ticketing will mean fans need to buy only one data-rich ticket that grants access to matches and public transport," Adabeye said. Each of the host cities has developed 2010 Transport Operational plans which comprise services that will be deployed during the event. These will be complemented by operational systems that will be deployed by the Department of Transport, the OC, MATCH Event services and private transportation services. For instance, the structure of public services will include air transport services from one match venue to the next; airport--city services commissioned by host cities, the national government and the private sector; inter-city rail services that start and terminate at major public transport hubs; inter-city road services that start and terminate at major public transport hubs; inner-city distribution systems that will ensure smooth mobility within cities from major hubs to various distribution points and destinations within cities; city shuttle services to match venues from designated public transport hubs, and park and ride facilities; an extensive network plan and walk facilities in close proximity to the stadiums; and dedicated coach shuttle services by MATCH through their tour operator programme. "In addition, the services of the metre-taxi industry will be structured to provide demand responsive services. The car rental industry is gearing up to provide services to willing self-drive spectators. Adabeye said the aim is for transportation to run smoothly in the country. "Smoothly as to be invisible. We need to catalyse a legacy. We will be working together with security and police departments closely to make sure all means of transportation are secured. We are very conscious that thousands of fans from all over the world will descend on South Africa for both events. Therefore, we continue to be driven by the fact that our visitors will determine if South Africa will be a destination for business and tourism after the World Cup. We have been and continue to be hard at work to deliver the best World Cup because we want to create a revolution in sport in South Africa. Our preparations are proceeding very well and our projects are still under way."
