Durban’s World Cup transport plans

he eThekwini Municipality has developed a world-class transport operating system for the 2010 FIFA World Cup that will get fans to the games easily and efficiently and provide safe access to all the main attractions of the City, such as the beachfront and Official FIFA Fan Fest. The system also takes into account the needs of fans travelling into the City from further afield.

Overview

During the World Cup there will be several road closures in and around 2010 extension zones, such as the Moses Mabhida Stadium, where parking will be restricted to FIFA, VVIPs, VIPs, match officials and others. These are unavoidable for any mega event. At the same time, to cut down on congestion and pollution – and to make getting around easier – the City would like to see the use of private transportation cut to a minimum and encourage fans to walk to and from the stadium and other areas, such as the beachfront. Certainly, the distances involved make this a feasible alternative to using private transportation, as most of the World Cup attractions are within walking distance of each other. The City has risen to the challenge with a hub-and-spoke concept incorporating special shuttle services. This will cut down on congestion and enable users to enjoy the day without worrying about finding parking or sitting in traffic jams.

Park & Ride

The first part of the transport operational plan will be the Park & Ride System. There are three main Park & Ride nodes – Gateway Shopping Centre in the north; Pavilion Shopping Centre in the west; and the new Galleria Shopping centre in the south. Fans can either leave their cars at the mall in specially allocated parking areas, or they can be dropped off here.

From here, a shuttle bus will take fans to the Centrum Site (adjacent to the Workshop Shopping Centre) in the city. The Centrum will be the hub of the transport system and will be well-managed to ensure the system operates at maximum efficiency and users receive whatever assistance they might need in reaching their next destination.

The shuttles will be free on Durban match days and persons with match tickets will get preference when it comes to boarding. On non-match days, the shuttles will require a pre-purchased ticket. Each ticket will be valid for one “trip”. That is, they will be valid as long as one remains inside the system. Once one leaves the system a new ticket is required.

A ticket costs R10 and is available for purchase on site. The shuttle services will operate every day from June 6 to July 11 from 09H00 to 02H00.

Getting to the stadium

From the Centrum pre-designated Fan-Routes will enable fans to walk to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, or the Fan Fest and beachfront. Fans requiring assistance will be taken via shuttle to the outer security cordon of the stadium (at the intersection of Masabalala Yengwa Ave and Sandile Thusi) or to OR Tambo parade on the beachfront.

Decorated with banners and flags, the ceremonial walk to the stadium is a common feature in major football games worldwide, enabling fans to express their excitement and get into the spirit of the game. Flags, shirts and other football paraphernalia, as well as food and beverages, will be available for purchase, while buskers and other street performers will provide additional entertainment along Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, the beachfront promenade, from the Centrum site to the beach, and from the station to the beach.

Park & Walk

A range of on-street and dedicated parking facilities are available within a 3km radius of the stadium (but outside of the stadium precinct, where some of the roads will be closed).

At the time of writing the following have been confirmed as parking sites from which fans can walk to the stadium or beachfront:

Addington Primary, 48 Bell St (beachfront): temporary parking facilities on school grounds.
Nicol Square Parking, 330 Monty Naicker Road (city centre): parking garage.
Nuffield Parking, 101 Joe Slovo Street (city centre): parking garage.
Pine Parkade, 260 Monty Naicker Road (city centre): parking garage.
The Workshop, 99 Samora Machel Street (city centre): mall parking area.

Ticket holders and Fan Fest visitors can park in these areas, and then make use of the Fan-Routes to reach their destinations. These facilities are privately owned and controlled, and will levy their own parking charges.

Rail Services

The close proximity of the central Durban stations to the stadium and the Fan Fest and other beachfront activities makes this an excellent transport option – and rail services are part of the hub-and-spoke system. Stations have been upgraded, operational hours and frequency of train services will be increased to accommodate matches and other World Cup activities, and special Fan Trains will include onboard promotions and entertainment.

The main lines from which fans can reach the stadium and city are: Umlazi; INK (Inanda, KwaMashu and Ntuzuma); Chatsworth; Queensburgh/Old Line Suburbs, and the Amanzimtoti line.

Fans can either get to the stations on foot, or use public transport. Park & Ride facilities are provided at the following stations:

Tongaat Central
Havenside
Bayview
Westcliff
Chatsglen
KwaMnyandu
KwaMashu
Phoenix
Amanzimtoti
Doonside
Bellair
Winkelspruit
Escombe

In addition, KwaMashu and KwaMnyandu will have scheduled late night taxi services to serve those areas from station to home.

On match days only ticket-holders will be able to exit at the Moses Mabhida Station. Those heading for the beachfront and Fan Park will exit at Durban Station and follow the pedestrian route along Somtseu Avenue.

Getting around the City

On foot

Visitors unfamiliar with Durban can make use of one of the City’s pre-designated pedestrian routes. Colour-coded, and well signed, these will guide fans safely to various entertainment hotspots, including the Centrum Site, Moses Mabhida Stadium, FIFA Fan Fest and beachfront.

ROUTE 1: Links the Point in the south to the Moses Mabhida Stadium via the Promenade and continues on to Umgeni Station in the north.

ROUTE 2: Links the Yacht Basin in the south to the stadium via the inner city and continues on down Masabalala Yengwa Ave to Blue Lagoon in the north.

ROUTE 3: Links Blue Lagoon (north) to the stadium via Snell Parade.

ROUTE 4: Links Warwick Junction in the west to the beachfront via Dr Pixley Kaseme Street.

ROUTE 5: Links Warwick Junction (west) to the beachfront via KE Masinga Road.

ROUTE 6: Links Durban Station to the beachfront.

ROUTE 7: Links Florida Road in the west with the stadium and the beachfront via Sandile Thusi Road.

ROUTE 8: Links the stadium with the beachfront Promenade via Suncoast Boulevard.

ROUTE 9: Links Florida Road with the Moses Mabhida Stadium via Innes Road.

Public Transport

All existing services will to operate their normal services during the event (apart from when there are traffic restrictions or road closures).

Information regarding public transport services will be disseminated via the new Public Transport Call Centre as well as at information points throughout the City.

People Mover: The People Mover bus system will convey fans between UShaka, Warwick, Suncoast Casino and other inner city locations. Ticket-holders wanting going to the stadium will get off at Suncoast and proceed on foot.

These safe, air-conditioned and brightly-coloured buses allow easy access for the disabled and mothers with prams, while bus stop wardens will be on hand assist passengers requiring assistance and provide route and schedule information.

Buses travel through the city every 15 minutes and are a popular, fun way to travel around the city or along the beachfront. A single journey on the People Mover costs R4, and a full-day pass costs R15. Passengers who wish to change between one route and another can do so at the transfer station at the end of Pixley Kaseme Street free of charge.

Ricksha Buses:

Take a three hour city tour to some of the city highlights, including;

The Durban beachfront
uShaka Marine World
Emmanuel Cathedral
Victoria Street Market J
uma Musjid Mosque
Durban City Hall
Francis Farewell Square
International Convention Centre
Kwa Muhle Museum
Tollgate Bridge
Burman Bush
The Cube on Innes Road
Mitchell Park
Florida Road
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Blue Lagoon
Suncoast Casino
Back to the Durban beachfront

Tour Details:

Tour 1: 09:00 to 12:00
Tour 2: 13:00 to 16:00

Bookings for the bus and departures take place from the Ricksha bus kiosk at number 40 Boscombe Place, Durban (next to the Metro Police Station, behind the Garden Court Marine Parade).

For enquiries, please contact Durban Tourism:

Main Office 031 3044934
Ricksha Bus Office 031 3681253

Other bus services: Alternative bus services will safely take you to other areas within Durban, provided they lie outside of the 2010 exclusion zones. The Centrum site will also serve as a pick-up and drop-off point for these buses as well as long distance coaches and tour buses.

Metered taxis: These will operate from existing locations in the City, as well as from designated sites along the beachfront and at the Centrum Site. City-registered metered taxis will be clearly marked with a coloured sticker, assuring users of the quality and safety of the service they can expect. Taxis that cover areas outside the key 2010 zones, such as the suburbs where the Park & Ride points are located, do not rove and therefore need to be called so that you can be picked up. A list of accredited metered taxis will be provided to visitors.

Minibus taxis: These will operate as normal, with temporary ranks on Qashana Khuzwayo Road, Umgeni Road and at Hoy Park. Minibus taxis operating in the suburbs can be used to reach the Park & Ride points.

Tour operators: Durban has many options when it comes to guided tours. For details of city registered tour guides and tour operators, please see below.

Tour Guide and Operator List

Airport shuttle

There will also be a shuttle from King Shaka Airport. Tickets for this will cost R50 each. From June 6, 2010, to July 16, the airport shuttle will run at 10 to 15 minute intervals and the operational hours will coincide with the airport operational hours. The shuttle will make stops at Umhlanga new and old town centres, and along the Durban Beachfront.

Road closures

Stadium surrounds
From midnight the day before matches in Durban there will be a number of traffic restrictions and road closures around the Moses Mabhida Stadium:
Umgeni Road: No stopping or parking.
Sandile Thusi Road: Closed to vehicular traffic from Umgeni to Ruth First to cater for pedestrians.

Masabalala Yengwa Avenue: The northbound carriageway between KE Masinga Road and Smiso Nkwanyana Road will be closed to allow for the movement of pedestrians. The southbound carriageway will have the following traffic restrictions:

Smiso Nkwanyana to Isaiah Ntshangase Road: Restricted access
Isaiah Ntshangase Road to Battery Beach: Closed to all traffic; pedestrian access only.
Battery Beach to Sandile Thusi: Restricted access.
Sandile Thusi to Somtseu: Access restricted to stadium shuttles only.
Somtseu to KE Masinga: Open to public to allow access to the various facilities along this section of road.

Isaiah Ntshangase Road: Closed to all traffic from Umgeni Road to Ruth First.
Battery Beach: Closed to traffic from Masabalala Yengwa Ave to Suncoast Boulevard.
Jacko Jackson: Restricted access.

Beachfront and surrounds

The beachfront has been divided into six precincts, each with limited access and egress points, and movement will be restricted across precincts.

Special needs

Whether they choose to use private transportation or the City’s hub-and-spoke transport operating system, fans with special needs will be well taken care of.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium

The stadium provides seating for 180 wheelchair-users and all hospitality suites are accessible for people with physical disabilities. All wheelchair areas have an unobstructed view of the pitch. Each has an electrical point and direct and level access to toilet facilities. Food and beverage facilities with lower countertops will be located close to the seats. Parking for people with physical disabilities is provided in the underground car park which is accessed from Isaiah Ntshangase Avenue and Masabalala Yengwa Avenue.

Shuttles

The Sukuma Bus will operate on match days to provide special shuttles between the Central Transport Hub, Fan Park and the Stadium. Details of times of these shuttles will be provided in the press.

Pedestrian routes

Shuttles will be on hand to convey special needs passengers, including the elderly, along the pre-designated pedestrian routes.

Road-based public transport

It is expected that the majority of special needs fans who choose this mode of transportation will be existing users familiar with road-based public transport in Durban. These spectators will access the City or Warwick Junction as per normal and will link into the City’s World Cup transport operating system.

The People Mover buses, meanwhile, allow easy access for the disabled and bus stop wardens will be on hand assist passengers with special needs.

Rail

The following stations in the eThekwini Municipality are equipped to accommodate people with special needs:

KwaMashu Station
Duffs Road Station
Moses Mabhida Station
Durban Station
Rossburgh Station
Reunion Station
Isipingo Station.

Once fans reach their destination they will receive all the assistance they require to access the stadium, Fan Fest or other World Cup attractions.

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