Rail identified as city's 2010 mode of transport

Celeste Ganga
17 July 2007

The city has identified rail as the main mode of transport that will be used during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The aim is to encourage people to use rail as the public transport system instead of a commuter facility.

Around the different railway stations, the city will be developing park-and-ride facilities and public service upgrades.

At least seven renovated coaches will be added on the Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha lines, four on the Cape Town-Bellville line and two on the Simon's Town line.

“New stations on the Cape Flats that were being planned include the new Khayelitsha station, which is favoured for park and ride facilities,” says City Director of Transport, Maddie Mazaza.

At the new and renovated stations, land would be made available for development such as small shopping malls.

“We know that it’s still difficult for other people to use rail because it was designed for the urban poor and there are still safety concerns, but we are using 2010 as a catalyst. We’ve signed an agreement with Fifa that we will have zero probability of failure,” says Mazaza.