Host city Nelspruit has announced its 2010 Fifa World Cup transport plans to accommodate the influx of visitors and ease potential traffic congestion on match days.
Nelspruit, in South Africa's Mpumalanga province, will play host to four World Cup matches, starting with a group H clash between Honduras and Chile on 16 June.
The city's 2010 plan would ensure "that travelling in and around Nelspruit is safe and convenient for residents and visitors," Mbombela 2010 World Cup coordinator Differ Mogale said last week.
The 2010 transport system, an additional service to the city's regular public transport system, will comprise a public transport hub, six park-and-ride points, and one park-and-walk point, all with free and secure parking, as well as an airport pickup point.
"Shuttle services to the stadium, Fan Fest and public transport hub will be operational from the park-and-ride and airport pickup points," Mogale said.
Six hundred specially branded buses and minibus taxis will provide the shuttle services, with a number of primary and alternative routes developed to ensure the that the system runs smoothly and congestion is kept to a minimum.
"The transport venues will open three hours before the first match of the day and close two hours after the last match of the day," Mogale said. "Shuttle services will run every 20 minutes, depending on demand, and will be free from June 11 to 25. Thereafter a nominal fee will be charged."
Mbombela Stadium will not provide public parking for general spectators on match days, and entry will be strictly enforced by law enforcement officials. About 650 transport volunteers have received training and will be on hand to assist spectators using the transport system at all the transport venues.
"Event-specific signage will be installed throughout the host city to guide the public to dedicated transport venues," Mogale said.
He added that print and broadcast media awareness campaigns would be undertaken and detailed pamphlets made available prior to and during the World Cup.
Road users passing through Nelspruit, especially the freight industry, have been encouraged to use the N4 ring road detour route, which is fast nearing completion. Road signs will be erected on the N4 to identify the route.
Source: BuaNews
