Buses and trains
Buses
If you're not used to driving long distances, a bus may be a better idea
than a rental car.
Check out
Intercape or
Greyhound
and Translux, all
of which offers a variety of national routes. You can book bus tickets at
Computicket.
If you want to go seriously
upmarket, Compassline
offers tailor-made, personalised tours in luxuriously equipped Mercedes buses
with a maximum of 12 spacious seats.
Trains
Spoornet is
the para-statal railway which covers the routes between the major cities. It's
by no means luxurious or fast, but it's reasonably comfortable, clean and safe,
and offers a relaxed way to see new parts of the country.
For real luxury, though, you have
to try one of the world's most luxurious railways, the
Blue Train, which runs a number of routes
within South Africa, and some further afield.
Another great upmarket option is
Rovos Rail, which operates beautifully
restored, spacious, Edwardian-era carriages, which are drawn by steam
locomotives for part of the trip.
But for the real railway
enthusiast, there is no better choice than the Union Steam Ltd. These
beautifully restored carriages are the original Blue Train – but in those days,
there was only one bathroom per carriage. Although there are small concessions
to modern taste, such as gas cooking instead of coal, everything – down to the
uniforms and cutlery – is as it would have been 50 years ago.
For short scenic trips, you could try
the Banana Express on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, the Apple Express out of
Port Elizabeth, or the usually steam-driven Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe.
Cape Town is probably the only
city where you would consider taking the commuter train, and then only really to
enjoy the view between Muizenberg and Simonstown as the railway hugs the rocky
shoreline.
Another excellent option is the
Steam Train Company, which "combines the excitement of sight seeing and golf
holidays with the irresistible romance of luxury train travel."
Operating out of Cape Town, the
Steam Train Company offers golf and scenic tours along the Cape Garden Route,
overland tours to Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and a series of day tours to
the Cape Winelands and along the False Bay Coast.
Also
see :
info by South
African Tourism
TRANSPORT
A fast, comfortable and low cost urban transport
system, called the "Bus Rapid Transit" (BRT) system, is being planned for
the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Integrated Transport Plan for host cities' Cape Town, Tshwane, Durban,
and Bloemfontein among several others will include a BRT transport system
which will promote the use of public transport ahead of the 2010 soccer
spectacle.
Revealing their plans on Thursday at the Southern African Transport
Conference in Pretoria Thursday, the cities indicated that the BRT would be
made available not only for the central business districts but also in
townships.
The BRT has been described as a high quality, customer oriented transport
system which will deliver fast, comfortable, and low cost urban mobility.
It involves the construction of "bus way corridors" on segregated lanes and
modernized technology.
As one of the host cities, the City of Tshwane has proposing the
establishment of Transport Authority, indicating the need for an
institutional structure to integrate transport. An emphasis has been placed
on the need for the BRT.
The application to establish the Tshwane Transport Authority has already
been handed to the Gauteng Transport MEC, Ignatius Jacobs.
Referring to the BRT, Dennis Baloyi of the City of Tshwane said: "as part of
the city's build up to the much anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup, there is a
need for a high quality, customer oriented public transport system which is
fast, comfortable and offers low-cost mobility.
"The BRT will service people from Soshanguve, GaRankuwa (north of Pretoria)
as well as Mamelodi (east of Pretoria) ensuring that everyone enjoys the
transport legacy the 2010 world cup will leave in its wake ," he said.
This bus system will also have routes leading to the training and main
stadiums.
Mr. Baloyi said the Wonderboom Airport, a private airport, will assist the
City in handling 10 percent of visitors of the total expected visitors.
Yolisa Mashilwane, from the City of Johannesburg told delegates that
currently the use of public transport stood at 47 percent compared to the
private mode which is at 53 percent.
"One of the main interventions in the Integrated Transport Plan is the
Strategic Public Transport Network and the move to gear up to a full Bus
Rapid Transit," she said.
"BRT is central to the 2010 plan," she added.
Ms Mashilwane said there were also plans for major freeways such as the N17,
which connects the Johannesburg CBD with the southern areas of the city, to
be upgraded to allow for easier access to soccer city stadium - where the
opening and closing matches will be played.
The transport upgrade will provide for parking, pedestrian bridges and
walkways, hawker facilities and clear signage and improvement of
interchanges.
Transport is viewed as the primary legacy for South Africa to change the
current status quo.
Donald Cupido of the City of Cape Town said the semi-final hosting city had
a target of achieving a 50/50 split in the use of public and private
transport by 2010.
"We also hope to increase the use of public transport to 53 percent by 2015
and by 57 percent by 2010," he said.
The city is also focusing on the rapid rail network to achieve its goals.
Major upgrades in its freeways, namely the N1 and N2 are also taking place
to ensure a sustainable long term integrated public transport system.
Speaking on behalf of Port Elizabeth, Darlene Campbell said: "The BRT will
form the base of the future public transport system up to 2020."
Like many other cities, the city will increase their CCTV surveillances and
traffic signs in response to travel demand management.
The upgrading of South Africa's major transport infrastructure including the
rail network, airports and the Gautrain project, are on track to be
completed in time to contribute to a hassle-free transport system for the
2010 FIFA World Cup.
The upgraded transport systems will be ready to cater for the expected
influx of international soccer enthusiasts to the country's shores,
delegates at the Southern African Transport Conference (SATC) heard on
Thursday.
The event was attended by Goran Vracar of the Airports Company South Africa
(ACSA), Chris Brits of the Gautrain project and Dries van der Walt of the
South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC).
The SATC brought together experts in the transport field to share ideas on
matters pertaining to transport, with a focus on the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Addressing delegates during a symposium on "Transportation and 2010 Soccer
World Cup", Mr. Vracar emphasized the importance of airports as an integral
part of the transportation system and economic growth.
He gave an update on the progress of infrastructure at various airports to
accommodate increased traffic during the soccer tournament.
ACSA is committed to providing adequate capacity for traffic during the
event and that construction would be complete come the tournament, said Mr
Vracar.
"We want to provide adequate capacity for traffic and construction-free
airports during the event. And these developments should be sustainable," he
told the gathering.
ACSA is also introducing new generation large aircraft to deal with
increasing traffic volumes.
Major developments are taking place at the OR Tambo International Airport,
including the expansion of the central terminal building, multi-storey
parking, a bus station, an apron, extended retail mall and pier and link
corridor, to the value of over R3 billion.
Developments at the Cape Town International Airport include the upgrading of
the central terminal building (R1 billion) and a multi-storey parking to the
tune of R394 million.
The capacity of the Durban International Airport is being increased from 4.2
million passengers per annum to 7.5 million by 2010.
Work is also being done to improve other national airports and a new airport
is being built at La Mercy in KwaZulu-Natal costing R5.7 billion.
The Gautrain project is also on course for completion and will contribute to
an efficient transport system in 2010 and beyond.
One section of the project linking the OR Tambo International Airport,
Sandton and Midrand will be ready on 1 June 2010 in time for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup.
The other sections will be competed afterwards.
Chris Britz of the Gautrain project explained to delegates that while
reducing congestion, it would stimulate economic growth and contribute to
job creation.
"The integration of the Gautrain into the public transport system will
stretch the potential market through enhanced access.
"It will enable the Gautrain to be a catalyst for the transformation and
restructuring of the total transport system," emphasized Mr. Britz.
Mr. van der Walt of the SARCC explained that rail transport would be
important during the 2010 FIFA World Cup especially as most of the visitors
who would attend the event were used to rail transport in their countries.
"These people are used to public transport in their countries. Their trains
look and feel good while our rail operations are facing problems everyday,"
he said, adding that "expectations for rail transport will be high" during
the tournament.
The SARCC is also seeking to implement a turnaround strategy to put rail on
a recovery path towards sustainable growth, while locating role as an
important part of the public transport system.
As part of the turnaround strategy and in preparations for the 2010
tournament, the SARCC will use the Public Transport Infrastructure and
Systems (PTIS) grant to implement its programmes.
"Our turnaround plan focuses mainly around 2010 and it involves the PTIS
grant, increasing our rolling by 2 000 coaches by 2010 and ensuring that our
regional operational plans are aligned to host city requirements," explained
Mr. van der Walt.
He also highlighted rail safety as another priority for the SARCC, saying
the re-introduction of railway police was important.
A total of 24 contact and reaction points will be set up countrywide, with
each having 130 constables and 21 vehicles.
TRANSPORT FOR WORLD CUP COMES UNDER THE
SPOTLIGHT
Transport preparations for the FIFA World Cup South
Africa are under the spotlight at the Southern African Transport Conference
(SATC).
The SATC, currently underway at the Centre for Scientific and Industrial
Research, has brought together experts in the transport field to share ideas
on matters pertaining to transport, particularly with regard to the 2010
Soccer World Cup.
Delegates heard during the session on "Transportation and 2010 Soccer World
Cup" Thursday that most of the preparations relating to transport for the
tournament were well underway and that progress was on schedule.
Those projects still in the planning phase will be implemented as soon as
possible to meet the set deadlines.
Presentations were made around the South African Local Organizing
Committee's (LOC's) vision for the 2010 FIFA World Cup; the Role and
Progress of the Department of Transport; the South African Roads Agency
Limited (SANRAL) Inputs and Projects and Security and transport during the
tournament.
The need for partnerships for the implementation of plans emerged to be an
important aspect in all presentations.
Skhumbuzo Macozoma, a member of the LOC, explained that the body's vision
was for the tournament to strengthen the South African and African image; to
promote new partnerships with the world.
"Our vision will inspire us and drive our collective determination to be
significant global players in all fields of human endeavour. This is more
than just sport - it's about developing our country," he said.
He explained that social legacy was an important pillar for the South
African tournament, among the business of sport; teams/building fan base and
competition/infrastructure pillars.
"Historically, the World Cup has been about sport but coming to South Africa
the priority is on social legacy - and as a result FIFA added legacy as the
fourth pillar of the tournament.
"We will therefore have to make sure we deliver the legacy. It is up to us
to ensure transport is the main legacy of the tournament," said Mr.
Macozoma.
The LOC's transport strategy aims to provide a high quality transport
service and system and to ensure that a public transport legacy is provided
for South Africa.
The LOC is also committed to ensuring that in the procurement of services,
it promotes Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment.
Lusanda Madikizela, a member of the 2010 Transport Project Coordination Unit
from the national Department of Transport explained that in providing
funding for projects, the department, through its Public Transport
Infrastructure and Systems Grant, among others required that projects should
prioritize public transport; satisfy both long-term and event-specific
mobility requirements and the continuity from planning to execution.
The department also requires that projects be executed in accordance to
government procurement and related requirements and be based on local
Integrated Development Plans and Integrated Transport Plans.
The Chief Executive Officer of SANRAL Nazir Alli outlined a number of
projects his agency was involved in to ensure adequate roads ahead of 2010
and beyond.
These include road improvements and construction around World Cup venues in
host cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Rustenburg, Mangaung,
Polokwane, Mbombela, Durban and Nelson Mandela Metro.
Mr. Alli also emphasized the importance of partnerships to deliver adequate
transport for the delivery of a successful soccer tournament in 2010.
Regarding safety issues, Frans Gibson of the South African Police Services
explained that inputs were still being made to the security plan around the
World Cup.
However, he explained that improved safety measures involving all security
agencies would be put in place at points of entry, on the roads, in tourist
attractions and in places of accommodation.
"We will maximize the all existing infrastructure and services to ensure
security during the tournament," he explained.
A member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport, Thabiseng
Khunou, also addressed the meeting.
Ms Khunou explained that the 2010 FIFA World Cup was important to the entire
country.
"We owe it to all South Africans to make it a success, to the ordinary man
and woman in the street and to the whole country. If we all contribute it
will be a success," she emphasized.
She stressed that the time for planning had passed and that it was now time
for the implementation of these plans.
"Cabinet has identified transport as the primary legacy for the tournament,
therefore effective funding for infrastructure is important. Implementation
should also happen in the months to follow, we need to see implementation on
the ground," she said.
