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1000 buses for 2010 transport
31 Mar 2009
Government will provide approximately 1000 luxury buses for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, in addition to the 50 semi-luxury buses for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and another 420 inter-city buses to MATCH Hospitality to honour its commitment to FIFA in the view of facilitating local fans, FIFA family and ticket holders to move from one venue to another, transport minister Jeff Radebe told the media in Pretoria today, Tuesday, 31 March 2009, at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between various stakeholders.
Under immense pressure
With 437 days remaining for the world's biggest soccer event kick-off, Government is under immense pressure to come up with concrete plans and actions to demonstrate that it will indeed deliver a safe, affordable and reliable public transport to make the event a successful one.
Some critics are even suggesting that there is a transport crisis in South Africa, as 2010 construction works drag on and the taxi industry threatens to disrupt the 2010 FIFA World Cup if their demands are not met.
But Radebe flatly denied that there is a crisis, saying, “Apart from consulting with various stakeholders to move forward, we are also currently spending close to R200 billion to build the transport infrastructure that will prepare us for 2010 and beyond. And with this signing ceremony, we are delighted that is once again an accomplishment of an important milestone in fulfilling the FIFA requirements.”
Safest way possible
The first MoU, signed between the minister of transport and LOC CEO Danny Jordan, and the second between DG of transport Mpumi Mpofu, Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) CEO and MATCH chairman Jaime Byron, will all make way for the provision of procurement and lease of buses that will transport fans, FIFA family, match officials and MATCH ticket holders from one venue to another in the safest way possible.
Mpumi said, “We all understand the magnitude of the event and every step we take becomes an important accomplishment for us, so we want we declare our unwavering commitment to provide reliable transport not only by road, but also by rail and air.”
“Critical”
Byron said, “One critical piece of organising a successful world cup is the implementation of transport solutions, especially with close to 500 000 guests that will come to support their teams. And in order to reconcile their accommodations needs, we decided to provide them with a safe and reliable mode of transport, which is why we are today.”
Radebe also said that his department has issued a request for proposals to the market for the supply of buses and coaches, and within the next few weeks the department will announce the preferred bidders.
About Issa Sikiti da Silva
Issa Sikiti da Silva is a winner of the 2010 SADC Media Awards (print category). He freelances for various media outlets, local and foreign, and has travelled extensively across Africa. His work has been published both in French and English. He used to contribute to Bizcommunity.com as a senior news writer.
