Cape Town’s Transport Fears For 2010

The international football governing body’s September update of the Mother City’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system suggests the plan may not meet its May 2010 deadline.

The operation has been described as being, "very tight and the possibility that this service may not be available for the event poses a considerable risk to the planning of the even transport services," according to the Cape Times.

The taxi industry that has been crying foul over the new bus system could well be called into the party to top-up transport services that will be needed for the event, depending on how ready the new system will be. The first phase of the IRT has been scaled down because of escalating costs.

The project, estimated to cost R1.3 billion a year ago, will now cost the city R4.3bn. Some of the University of Cape Town’s Jammie Shuttle Service buses which will be not utilised during the event.

The revised completion of the Phase1A of the IRT "within time and budget constraints" has been identified as one of the risk factors of the city's 2010 transport plan. About 175,000 extra commuters are expected daily during peak hours during when the event begins.

The city is expected to come to a round table for the extension of hours of other forms of transport in areas that will not be serviced by the first phase of the IRT.

Transport during the World Cup is expected to be concentrated in the city centre, Green Point Stadium area and Cape Town International Airport. Transport operations for the event will be coordinated from the new Transport Management Centre at Goodwood and the operational cost of managing transport during the event will be R80 million, according to the Cape Times newspaper.

A reported submition made to the city's transport portfolio committee by Peter Sole of Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Cape Town would have to negotiate with landowners for the use of about 32,000 parking bays. Most of the games being played at the Cape Town Stadium have a 20:30 kick-off.

Clyde Tlou, Goal.com