One of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro's major streets, Govan Mbeki is buzzing with activities as local taxi, bus and truck drivers make use of the newly opened special lane as part of the integrated public transport system ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
With the bay metro being one of the nine host cities of the tournament in the country, a special lane accommodating these modes of transport has been created to ensure easy flow of traffic in the city.
Recently, the father of the city, together with the Eastern Cape Transport MEC, Ghishma Barry launched the start of the bay's integrated public transport system to benefit the local communities. Local traffic officers here are working to ensure massive traffic direction in the City centre, channelling private motorists to detour streets in navigating the metro.
Some of the interesting activities in the metro include the newly elected official 2010 FIFA World Cup road signage which leads soccer enthusiasts to the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, public view areas, park and walk as well as park and ride centers used to ensure effective transportation system during the tournament.
The bay will host eight games of the world cup, including match 49 of the second phase of the world's soccer extravaganza. One of the local traffic law enforcement officials, Mfuniseli Ncapayi, 35, said he was happy to provide service to both local communities and the tourists who will congregate in the Bay for a number of 2010 FIFA World Cup games, including a bruising contest between Portugal and Ivory Coast.
"We direct traffic here because motorists are used to the previous system before the integrated public transport system came to the fore. We are doing this for a while until our motorists get used to it," said Ncapayi.
On the hand, fellow Officer, Elizabeth Burgess, 35, said: "This brings us closer to informing our motorists about the good changes in the bay for their benefit.
"As this is new, they ask us for directions, we help them, we even help motorists from outside the bay who need help in navigating this metro," said Burgess, adding that some motorists were rude to them.
The Govan Mbeki Street leads you to the Nelson Mandela stadium from the city centre, it cuts through the taxi rank, with the help of the official 2010 FIFA World Cup road signs, getting to the stadium and other centers is more easy for all.
A number of traffic and police officers will be deployed in the metro to ensure safety for all before, during and after the tournament.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
2 June 2010
Source: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ectransport.gov.za/)
