» Joburg transport to World Cup games http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:42:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 The highs and lows of day 1 of the World Cup, especially traffic issues http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/the-highs-and-lows-of-day-1-of-the-world-cup-especially-traffic-issues http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/the-highs-and-lows-of-day-1-of-the-world-cup-especially-traffic-issues#comments Sat, 12 Jun 2010 10:46:15 +0000 liz http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=1651 The event that we have all been waiting for since the announcement in 2005 is finally here … and despite some serious traffic and transport hitches, it all went well on the FIRST big day.  Lots of hoarse voices amongst Safricans today as well as much babbelaas  (See blog post dated 31st May on SA slang) !

Traffic issues For those who made their way to the stadium early (like my son who was so excited he barely slept for the 2 nights beforehand), everything went very smoothly – door-to-door journeys of about an hour.  PARK AND RIDE Some guests left cars at the Wits Park and Ride and took a bus from there to the stadium. Remember that for this option you need to buy tickets beforehand Computicket www.ticketbreak.co.zo/parkride.   Also you need to choose in advance which Park and Ride you will be using – for guests at Liz at Lancaster it would be either Wits Campus or Constitutional Hill.   METRORAIL Other guests parked their cars at Park Station and took the Metrorail (free for those with match tickets). Feedback is that the train was efficient, clean, spacious, there was a great atmosphere and camaraderie, with the presence of Metro police in each carriage and drop–off close to the stadium. Definitely a way to go to both Ellis Park and Soccer City.  In both cases the return trip was longer about 2 hours which is understandable given that the 94,000 seater stadium is emptying all at once.  All said that crowd control and directing of fans both outside and inside the stadium was excellent.
I would not recommend using DROP AND RIDE which operate from 2 points: the Westgate traffic hub in Central Johannesburg and Sandton.  Firstly both of these hubs are near fan parks (Innis Free at Sandton and Mary Fitzgerald Square near Westgate) so there is extra traffic build up with all the traffic coming in to the fan parks. Yesterday this caused major gridlocking particularly in Sandton. In addition from Sandton you are transported to the Westgate hub ie it is much more efficient to go directly to Westgate and cut out one leg of the journey.  

Feel good moments 
* The ‘Arch’ [Archbishop Desmond Tutu boogeying away in the VIP stands with his wide  grin and sheer infectious delight
* Bafana bafana breaking into song in the tunnel as the prepared to enter the field 
* The playful camaraderie between Bafana Bafana fans and Mexican fans in buses and railway carriages on the way to and from the stadium 
For some great photos of the opening ceremony see http://www.sport24.co.za/Galleries/Image/Soccer/2010%20World%20Cup/Opening%20ceremony

Tragic events We send Madiba and his family our deepest sympathies on the death of Zenani   

]]> http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/the-highs-and-lows-of-day-1-of-the-world-cup-especially-traffic-issues/feed 2 Johannesburg transport plans for World Cup 2010 Soccer http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/johannesburg-transport-plans-for-world-cup-2010-soccer http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/johannesburg-transport-plans-for-world-cup-2010-soccer#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 06:28:00 +0000 liz http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/?p=1364

Nthambeleni Gabara’s article  www.sa2010.gov.za  5 May 2010   (entire article copied below):

Johannesburg – The City of Johannesburg unveiled a comprehensive transport plan aimed at encouraging local and international soccer fans to use public transport during the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.    The City’s executive mayor, Amos Masondo, said they were on track and ready to host the World Cup.    “The City is ready to welcome all spectators and visitors and we want to encourage everyone to use public transport,” he said.    Masondo made it clear that no private vehicles would be allowed within the stadium precincts.    He said people with valid, official tickets for matches would be admitted to the immediate surrounding areas.  “These areas will only be accessible for designated public transport, emergency and VIP vehicles displaying a special permit,” he said.  

According to the plan, Metrorail will be transporting fans to their event and ordinary commuter service. On match days, extra trains will be provided to run from the Westgate Transport Hub to Soccer City.   Match ticket holders will board trains free to the games.

Metrobuses will run on match days from the Sandton Transport Hub to Westgate Transport Hub.   These buses will run every 10 minutes and will stop at various routes while still in the Sandton area to pick up fans.   The buses will be picking up fans along the route in the Sandton area.     However, there are three fare options for these services, which are R20 one way to the Westgate Transport Hub; R40 return from the Westgate Transport Hub and R50 return to the Westgate Transport Hub including the Rea Vaya ticket.    These tickets can be purchased [with] cash on the buses.

Sibongile Mazibuko, from the City’s 2010 FIFA World Cup unit said the Gautrain will be running from OR Tambo to Sandton station every day.   She said fans will be able to catch the easy transport option from the airport to Sandton where they can connect to the Sandton Metrobus Transport Service to Westgate.   Mazibuko said the trip from OR Tambo to Sandton with the Gautrain will take 15 minutes.

“There will be bus services running from the OR Tambo International to Sandton on a daily basis, as well as from the OR Tambo International to Westgate on match days.   “Gautrain will also run services from OR Tambo to Sandton. There will also be a service running from Lanseria Airport to Sandton and back,” she said.

Johannesburg is the only host city that will provide two match venues, Coca-Cola Park and Soccer City and will also host a total of 15 matches, including the opening and final matches.    Masondo said he was looking forward to traveling to the games safely and in style using public transport.    “We are confident that everything will go well. Together we will deliver the best-ever World Cup experience,” he said.-BuaNews

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