All World Cup systems go as final wheels turn

The Eastern Cape celebrated on the 25th of May as some of the final cogs in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ wheel were put in place when 14 new articulated buses earmarked for the World Cup transport – and Nelson Mandela Bay’s future long-term Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS) project – arrived at the East London Harbour from Brazil.

“It would have cost Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality an extra $150 000 (R1,18-million) had the buses docked in Port Elizabeth because the shipping agent is based in Durban. So, we were able to share World Cup excitement with Buffalo City and save Nelson Mandela Bay money,” said Keith Mitchell Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s acting public transport officer.

This would bring the total number of new articulated buses to 23 after nine arrived two weeks ago, also at the East London Harbour. The buses, handled by Transnet Port Terminals, arrived five days earlier than expected on Sunday May 23 and have been off-loaded over the past few days. An additional bus specifically designed for disabled people is set to arrive shortly.

 “This joint initiative shows how the Eastern Cape province, Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay are all working together to ensure a vibrant and successful 2010 FIFA World Cup and provincial cohesion with less than three weeks to go till kick-off at Soccer City,” said Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku.

The buses can carry 115 people and cost R3,8-million each. Training for drivers started last week with lecture sessions and driving kicking-off later this week. During the course of the World Cup the new buses will be managed and operated by Laph’ Umilanga Transport Services Cooperative Ltd before being integrated into the new transport plans after the event.