By Michelle Govender

The municipality this week unveiled an ambitious transport plan which should ensure eThekwini is ready and able to host the 2010 World Cup.

eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) officials said they are confident that with “adequate planning” and “attention to detail”, we can pull off the greatest soccer show on Earth. Already the city’s 2010 business plan is nearing completion and is to be finalised in the next fortnight, before being submitted to the National Treasury for scrutiny and approval.

More than R3.7 billion has been budgeted by the Treasury for transport projects for 2010 and the ETA has prepared a compelling case for a substantial part of this to be directed to Durban. The city is hoping to receive between R1.5-billion and R2-billion and will use the money to tackle critical issues, ranging from planning to infrastructure upgrades, including rail upgrades.

The planning process thus far has followed a structured approach with a five-year rolling programme. The demand and possibilities of the World Cup will determine most of the transport needs which will centre around the following staggering statistics:

Deputy Head of the ETA, Logan Moodley, said transport would have to be provided for: The Fifa family; media; visitors and tourists; as well as the transportation of fans to the stadium and back.

“According to global trends, on the busiest or peak days of the World Cup, 17 000 people are expected to arrive in the city by air, 6 000 by road and 6 500 by rail,” said Moodley.

“These demands are a challenge for all modes of transport within the city. Therefore careful planning to cater for these scenarios will ensure we are not caught off guard. Over and above this we are anticipating a significant number of attendees at the fan fest venues and are also planning around these events,” he said.

Several projects have been identified for funding. These include, the people mover, rail station upgrades, an intelligent transport system, an elevated overpass in the Warwick Junction area and a public transport service from the airport to the CBD.

The proposed routes for the people mover system span from SunCoast Casino to uShaka Marine World and will cover parts of the CBD. The interim people mover is expected to begin running soon in the form of luxury bus liners until a more sophisticated mode and system comes into effect for 2010.

One of the larger, more ambitious projects will be the elevated overpass in the Warwick precinct, which will ease congestion within the city centre and direct traffic out of the city. The focus of the project is to create a safer and efficient public transport interchange in the area.

The upgrade of the railway system, which will happen in conjunction with the national Transport Department will make for more comfortable seating, improved safety and more sophisticated electronic ticketing. It is also expected to increase the current capacity and make way for a new station near the new Senzangakhona stadium.

The intelligent transport system will re-direct motorists, through electronic signboards, during instances such as accidents. These signboards will be strategically placed all over the city and are expected to mimic the success of the autobahn in Germany.

Transporting visitors, dignitaries, including Fifa members, and soccer teams from the airport to their accommodation and directly to the stadium are what officials are considering logistically. City officials are working with the Airport Company of South Africa and the province on a new airport at La Mercy and its inevitable impact.

Airport capacity issues are being addressed and visitors using air travel are expected to be met with an efficient public transport system. The infrastructure will consist of a rail link and a road-based system. About 13 buses will service a road-based public transport link from the airport to the CBD and hotel belt.
“We are now in deep negotiations with national government to secure funding for the projects mentioned and once we get the go-ahead, almost all projects will begin simultaneously to meet the tight deadlines.

“We are ready to be just as prepared as the Germans were and need the support."

Source: eThekwini Online