According to FIFA, a total of 3.1 million spectators attended the 64 matches of the 2010 tournament, which is the third highest aggregate attendance behind the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006. This excludes the millions of people who travelled to the fan fests, public viewing areas and other entertainment centres to watch the matches.
In just one month, in addition to daily normal commuting services, millions of fans criss-crossed a country three times the size of Germany, with the majority of them using public transport, mainly taxis, buses and trains. With regards to transport, we have not had any reports of major accidents or incidents.
Given the deep-seated historical legacy of apartheid-inspired geographical marginalisation of the majority of South Africans, and decades of under-investment in public transport, access and mobility was going to be a challenge in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, South Africa rose to the challenge and transport moved smoothly.
The South African government identified public transport as the key legacy project for this World Cup. Over the past few years a major capital injection into transport-related infrastructure and operations has begun to produce some important results.
Public transport formed the backbone of transport plans for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Government invested billions of rands to ensure a safe, efficient and reliable public transportation system for the World Cup. This investment included customer-focused and world class airports, upgraded train stations and refurbished coaches to luxury buses and integrated rapid public transport networks such as the bus rapid transit system.
The transport milestones developed during the 2010 FIFA World Cup form part of the lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by generations of South Africans for many decades, long after the World Cup has come and gone.
Credit for the transport achievements during the World Cup needs to go to all members of the Transport Family including all spheres of government, in particular to host cities, and to a range of parastatal entities in the aviation, rail and road sectors.
We also salute private sector public transport operators, local bus and coach operators and, indeed, the often maligned minibus-taxi industry who have all come to the party and done us proud.
Airports
Airports Company South Africa’s (ACSA) R20 billion airports development programme was completed on time for the World Cup. This included the OR Tambo Airport Central Terminal Building upgrade, the Cape Town Airport Terminal upgrade, the Bloemfontein Airport runway rehabilitation and airport upgrade as well as the new Durban King Shaka Airport.
Traffic levels at airports were significantly higher with the Aeronautical Information Management Unit (AIMU) processing large numbers of flights. Air traffic was nearly double the daily average that airports handle. Passenger Processing Systems at all airports were significantly improved. Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) also played a critical role in terms of aircraft movements in and out of each airport. The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) deployed 33 Aviation Security Inspectors to 13 airports around the country. All aviation related matters were handled in line with the operational plan coordinated under the Department of Transport’s Aviation Sub-Sector Task Team.
For most of Sunday, 11 July morning, ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands, an aircraft was touching down every two minutes at O R Tambo International Airport. On Sunday, 11 July and Monday, 12 July OR Tambo facilitated more than 1 400 aircraft movements, carrying well over 160 000 passengers. The total number of aircraft handled between 1 June and 12 July at the three main international airports amounted to 58 045 – OR Tambo (35 964), Cape Town (14 600) and King Shaka (7 481). Circumstances surrounding the delays at King Shaka International Airport last Wednesday, 7 July 2010 are now becoming clearer and we will pronounce on this matter in due course.
Gautrain
On its very first operational weekend, 12 to 13 June 2010, the Gautrain sold 42,000 tickets, clearly demonstrating its popularity. The introduction of the Gautrain has also transformed passenger rail travelling in the Gauteng province with passengers using the service to the maximum. By 27 June, 255 000 trips had been undertaken since launching the Gautrain service on 8 June. An average of 10 000 passengers per day during weekdays, and an average of 20 000 passengers per day on weekends have used the Gautrain on the Sandton – OR Tambo International Airport route. We are looking forward to the completion of the rest of the line.
Rail services
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) successfully upgraded existing stations and built new stations, including various expansion projects and the upgrading of key rail infrastructure to increase mobility and accessibility for commuters during the tournament and beyond. There are now train stations in the vicinity of most stadiums such as the newly-constructed Moses Mabhida Station in Durban, all of which are approximately a five-minute walk. World Cup ticket holders travelled free with Metrorail to and from the stadiums avoiding delays and congestion on the roads. PRASA, through Metrorail, carried a total of 1,467 million passengers and ran a total of 2, 256 trains.
Inter-city transport
An inter-provincial and regional road transport system comprising luxury buses and midi-buses was put in place for the tournament. Spectators who used this service arrived at the stadiums at least two hours before the match. Drop-offs were between 100 and 800 metres to the stadium. From Gauteng, there was a service for all games in Rustenburg, Polokwane, Nelspruit and Bloemfontein, which brought people back to Gauteng straight after the game. The Department of Transport purchased over 700 buses for use during the event. These buses will now be used to recapitalize the ageing fleet of the Autopax Bus Company owned and operated by PRASA, as part of an overall legacy programme.
Road infrastructure improvements
As part of R23 billion, Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) the Gilloolly’s flyover, the N17 interchange and the Albertina Sisulu (R21) route were opened at the beginning of June 2010. The Albertina Sisulu route now has four lanes in each direction from Pretoria to the airport and back. The new flyover to N1 Pretoria/Polokwane was also opened together with new loop ramps at the Hans Strijdom interchange. In order to facilitate easy flow of traffic, other roads and interchanges were also opened throughout the country and construction work on the road network was also suspended for the duration of the tournament. The GFIP is one of the largest such projects to date and will resume now that the World Cup is concluded. The bulk of the road works is expected to be completed by the end of this year and we urge road users to be careful in construction areas and adhere to road signs.
Host city transport plans
All nine host cities had in place World Cup transport plans with a public transport focus. These were supported by park-and-rides as well as park-and-walks. Fans were encouraged to plan their trips well in advance to the stadiums, fan parks and public viewing areas. Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks such as the Johannesburg Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system were in operation and have proved popular with commuters.
Road safety
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) was responsible for the coordination and implementation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup road safety plan, in conjunction with the South African Police (SAP), provincial and local traffic law enforcement agencies, disaster management, fire and ambulance, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the South African National Roads Agency Limited and the Cross Border Road Transport Agency.
A special word of thanks to all our traffic officers and other law enforcement officers who went all out to ensure that there is appropriate traffic law enforcement on routes with high traffic volumes, as well as routes leading to and from host cities, airports, hotels, stadia, fan parks, public viewing areas and other places of interest. Traffic officers also assisted in ensuring free traffic flow along various point duty intersections in cities and built-up areas.
National transport call centre
The Department of Transport has been operating a National Transport Call Centre to assist visitors with information on different travelling options. This service was provided together with the website www.2010findyourway.co.za. A number of queries have been received, mostly relating to Host City transport information, public transport operations as well as availability of park and ride sites.
Beyond the 2010 World Cup
As President Jacob Zuma has said, “The World Cup is proving that faith in Africa was not misplaced. The overwhelming success is enabling us to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes about the continent which augurs well for the future. Economically, we invested in infrastructure which will provide long-lasting benefits to the economy. Through the renewal of our transport and road networks we have addressed long-standing bottlenecks.”
South Africa is well on its way to overhauling its public transport system, which many were initially reluctant to use in a country where a private vehicle is king. The Department of Transport once again calls on South Africans to make use of public transport and the wonderful infrastructure that has been put in place. The lessons learnt from the 2010 FIFA World Cup will assist us as we move forward.
As we travel, we call on all South Africans to discover that golden thread of common decency which resides in all of us. Let us revive the spirit of ubuntu – that spirit of good, old, common respect and courtesy for fellow travellers. Through the National Transport Master Plan (NATMAP) 2050, we are working towards a dynamic; long term; and sustainable Land Use/Multi-Modal Transport Systems Framework for the development of networks infrastructure facilities; interchange termini facilities and service delivery.
In view of the strategic role of transport in our socio-economic development, the large investments required, and the heavy foreign exchange costs frequently involved, it is paramount that there is a comprehensive, multi-modal and integrated transport plan that is demand responsive to various land uses and sectoral investments. This is what we aim to achieve through NATMAP 2050. The 2010 FIFA World Cup was not only about sport; it was more about Tran-sport.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
