South Africa opens World Cup transport network 21/04/2010 |
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South Africa has unveiled a 19bn rand infrastructure upgrade ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
Organisers showed off redeveloped airports, the much-talked-about Gautrain service and a new bus system to the world’s media on Tuesday (April 20).
President Jacob Zuma opened the upgraded Johannesburg airport, which will handle 28 million passengers a year and more than 60 flights a day.
Officials said the new infrastructure would be the World Cup’s long-term legacy after the tournament is over.
"We have not had wonderful public transport in South Africa," deputy transport minister Jeremy Cronin commented after the airport opening ceremony.
"Government has identified the privilege of hosting the World Cup as an opportunity also to lay down the beginnings of a wonderful public transport system.”
Fifa had previously expressed concerns about South Africa’s transport system but Cronin added: "We are quite convinced that international visitors to South Africa will have a wonderful experience culturally, sporting wise and also a hassle-free transport system and that there will be a legacy left for ordinary South Africans.”
Airports in Cape Town and other host cities have also been refurbished and a brand new one built in Durban.
Transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele said 570 buses had been purchased for the World Cup, 110 of them to provide an inter-city service.
"Government has invested more than 19b rand on public transport infrastructure for the World Cup to ensure that the tournament leaves a rich legacy for our country and continent," he explained.
Ndebele said South Africa would provide World Cup fans with a transport system that "is reliable, easily accessible, safe and secure, convenient and affordable”.
The number of foreign fans travelling to South Africa in June and July is expected to be considerably lower than first thought, but officials have denied too much money has been spent on the infrastructure upgrade.
Skhumbuzo Macozoma, a transport specialist from the local organising committee, said: "There is no message that says we have spent too much."
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