http://www.hho.co.za/images/Pg%203.GIF

Revamped Claremont Boulevard now open



By Staff Writer

THE R22-million, four-lane Claremont Boulevard is "practically open" to traffic, says the Claremont Central Improvement District Company (CIDC).

Other than some "minor construction and rehabilitation work" that would be completed when the builders' holiday ended next month, the boulevard was ready for use, said CIDC executive manager Anthony Davies.

The Claremont Boulevard development includes a bypass to link Letterstedt and Stanhope roads to reduce traffic congestion.

Davies said the boulevard was open between the Stanhope Road bridge and Letterstedt and Main roads intersection. "Practical completion" meant traffic could now travel north and south along the boulevard. - Staff Writer

Published on the web by Cape Times on December 21, 2008.

Catch the Khayelitsha Express to beach and back on Friday and New Year's Day



By Staff Writer

If you have ever sat in a train, wishing it was taking you to the beach instead of to work, then take the Khayelitsha Express on the Day of Goodwill or New Year's Day.

On those public holidays, the sleek, grey train, which usually stops at only three stations as it whizzes from Khayelitsha to the CBD, will pick up families from a number of areas as it makes its way to Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek.

Metrorail's regional manager, Stephen Ngobeni, said the popularity of the train, which started operating more than a year ago, had prompted the rail operator to make its service available to the broader community.

"We have been inundated with requests to provide mobility to the beaches during the long summer break. This is our way of bringing cheer to the communities served by our railway line," he said.

On the two public holidays, the Khayelitsha Express will stop at the Khayelitsha, Nonkqubela, Nolungile, Mandalay, Stock Road, Philippi, Kapteinsklip, Lentegeur, Nyanga, Heideveld, Netreg, Bonteheuwel, Langa and Mitchells Plain stations as it heads to the three popular south Peninsula beaches.

It is expected to depart from Khayelitsha at 7.20am on both days and arrive in Fish Hoek at 9.16am.

Commuters would then be picked up at Fish Hoek station at 5.30pm and the train was expected to arrive back at the Khayelitsha station at 6.51pm.

A cabin crew aboard the train will help ensure travellers' safety.

A daily return ticket costs R40 per person and tickets may be bought at any of the stopping stations during business hours.

The offer applies only to the Khayelitsha Express train, and weekly and monthly tickets will not be accepted.

For more information and a train timetable, the Metropolitan Transport Information Centre can be contacted toll-free on 0800 65 64 63.

Inquiries can also be made at the stations where the train will stop on the two public holidays.

Published on the web by Cape Times on December 21, 2008. © Cape Times 2008. All rights reserved.

^^ good initiative.

This is good news. The new Premium Express from Strand to Cape Town.


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Express.jpg

Definately good news but it would have been better if they laso used it for tourism during the day, I would love to board this train to Strand from the CBD to Strand to experience the warm indian ocean and board a taxi or a bus to taste Wine in Cape winelans.

Mo, I guess these are the same busses you posted. It would be nice if the opt for them.

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/Nov05/30MercedesNewUrbanBus.jpg

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/Nov05/30MercedesNewUrbanBus2.jpg

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Images/Nov05/30MercedesNewUrbanBus4.jpg

^^ YES THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!! :):)

I hope those are the busses.

New Philippi Bus Depot to save 4,000 km


By Babalo Ndenze

A NEW Golden Arrow bus depot in Philippi is expected to bring about a weekly saving of 4 000 kilometres, due to its proximity to major routes in the city, the company says.

The depot, which is being constructed adjacent to the existing long-distance bus depot in Philippi, is expected to be inaugurated in May.

"The new Southgate depot will operate as an independent entity overseeing the operation and maintenance of 250 buses with a staff complement of 350 employees,"the company said.

"The depot will bring about a weekly saving of 4 000 kilometres, due to its proximity to major routes, and will ensure that the company is strategically positioned to service the growing market of the southeastern suburbs," Golden Arrow said.

However, the company's chairperson, Elias Mphande, said the lack of a provincial transport authority and the dearth of skills in the industry were having a negative impact on the company.

He said considering the impasse between provincial and local spheres of government on transport issues, the implementation process is "expected to be protracted and tedious and will be further hamstrung by the moratoria on both new routes and the issuing of operating licences".

Golden Arrow also fears the skills shortage in the commuter bus sector, including a national shortage of about 7 000 drivers, will not only affect the city's hosting of 2010 World Cup games, but also other operations.

"The dearth of skilled personnel in both the operating and technical disciplines in our industry remains a daunting challenge," said Mphande.

babalo.ndenze@inl.co.za

Pule the city doesnt have the money at the moment for the brt to go to the poor areas. they are probably getting theirs in 2011 so not such a long wait. Metrorail falls under the ANCs jurisdiction so they should make shure they improve. projects for the rich arent taboo the gautrain is a very good example of that

Yip. The project must first generate finance from the Milnerton Route to ensure its self sustaining. Once this is a success the city will approach National Government for more funds for the Metro South East, and will more easily get funding since these are low income areas.

It is unlikely that treasury will deny the city funding for developing Phase 1 B and Phase 2 (Metro South East)

Two very different experiences travelling by train along the Simons Town Route

Letters to the Editor.
On Monday my Dad found a letter in the Cape Times called "Train Trip Nightmare".

Here is what it said:

"During the holidays, I took my child and a friend from overseas on the train side between Claremont and Simon's Town, to enjoy the wonderful coastline from the comfort of a train window. This proved to be a rather uncomfortable nightmare. The windows were scratched and full of graffiti. Some were jammed as were the doors. Some doors remained open, while others could not open, and the first-class carriages were not clearly marked. It appears the new trains have smaller plastic windows unlike other trains around the world.

Scenery is no longer a part of the equation, and it appears Cape Town's Metro system caters only for thugs and gangsters.

No one checked our tickets, nor did we have to use them in any check-in equipment. Hundreds of drunk and disorderly beach goers boarded the trains, seemingly without tickets.

People were smoking and drinking, and music was blaring from cellphones. We met two families with young children travelling from Simom's Town. Their outing ended in a scuffle as they tried to disembark at Muizenberg.

For years, I have been writing to the press and authorities suggesting that trains be upgraded in general, and on this scenic route in particular. But, the new rolling stock are just grim mean machines designed to offer free transport to the masses.

Cape Town's rail network could easily compare to some of the world's top metros should comfort and safety become part of the equation. Next year is the Soccer World Cup year. It is a disgrace that so little has been done." -Agi Orfanos



Of course I can't pass up the opportunity to write a letter! And seeing as our experience was a very different one, I decided to respond.

Here is what I wrote in a letter that was published in this mornings Times, they entitled it "On the right track":

"The letter by Agi Orfanos, "Train trip nightmare" (January 13), refers. We too went on a train trip, from Plumstead to Fish Hoek last week, but our experience was somewhat different.
Yes, there were frustrations, such as the windows not being very conducive to looking at the sea, but the we were pleasantly surprised.
The trains were on time and surprisingly clean, all doors worked properly and there was an abundance of ticket collectors.
We had 5 children with us, aged between 2 and 7, and had a fair amount of baggage as well as 2 prams. The other passengers were very helpful, ensuring that we all got on and off the train with all our belongings. It sounds as though Orfanos might have been traveling on the old Third Class which is probably different to where we were, the coaches marked "Metro Plus", which is the old First Class.
The most frustrating part of the experience was a20 minute wait at St. James station for an unknown reason without an announcement being made to inform passengers of what was going on. It was a pleasant trip. I expected to feel unsafe but I felt very safe. I agree that a lot has to be done to upgrade the service , especially in light of the 2010 World Cup next year. With a bit of initiative and creativity, it may not be all that difficult to a more pleasurable experience." - Debbie Hutton

It costs a whole R5,50 for adults and R2,80 for kids.

Thanks for the info Mo and welcome back. Some people only choose to see the bad while some of us look at things with an open mind.

Thanks for the info Mo and welcome back. Some people only choose to see the bad while some of us look at things with an open mind.

I think the one individual used the train the day "one day at the beach a year" people used the train around the festive season.
It happens all across South Africa. The masses, mostly black head to the beach and cause chaos for a few days.

Hope that doesn't come across as racist.

Obviously we find irresponsible elements in large crowds and as you say it might have resulted in what the guy experienced.

Video: Khayelitsha Rail Extension


http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/urbanrenewal/media
/URP_3_Rail_extension.wmv

Strand to Cape Town Premium Express launched


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Express1.jpg

THE Premium Express is scheduled to start operating on Monday 26 January.
Marketing and Communications Manager of Metrorail, Ms Riana Scott, said the official media launch will take place in Strand on Friday 23 January.

The Premium Express will offer commuters a variety of services, such as secure parking facilities, an exclusive dedicated ticket window and designated
waiting and boarding areas at each of the stopping stations.
Commuters are also guaranteed a comfortable seat, friendly service by cabin attendants, on board security, reduced travel time, laptop enabled workstations with a power point and complimentary coffee and newspaper on board.

The train will travel between Strand and Cape Town in just over an hour stopping at Somerset, Firgrove, Eerste River, Kuils River and Mutual stations on the way.

Senior Enigeering Technician at Metrorail’s Rolling Stock Depot, Mr Riyaad Petersen, said: “A normal train will take approximately one hour and thirty
minutes if traveling from Strand to Cape Town but the Premium Express will arrive twenty minutes earlier.”

Tickets for the Premium Express will only be sold at designated ticket offices at the stopping stations. Monthly tickets will go on sale at stopping stations
in the upcoming weeks.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Express2.jpg

Morning Departures
. Strand – 06:20
. Somerset West– 06:28
. Firgrove – 06:44
. Eerste River –06:53
. Kuils River–06:59
. Mutual – 07:19
. Cape Town– 07:32

Afternoon Arrivals
. Cape Town – 17:00
. Mutual –17:12
. Kuils River –17:32
. Eerste River –17:43
. Firgrove – 17:54
. Somerset West –18:01
. Strand– 18:10

Edit: ah I see mo beat me to it and put this in the BRT thread under Projects .... oh well.
Station designs complete for new CT public transport system
With the first phase of the City’s Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system set to get underway in March 2010, the project is now rapidly gaining pace.

The trunk station designs have been finalised, and construction is already underway in the Culemborg area. Five construction contracts have been awarded, including Culemborg, Paarden Island, and parts of Marine Drive (R27).

The stations – glass structures – will all have ticket facilities, security and CCTV cameras, variable message signage and recycling bins capable of handling pre-sorted litter of up to six different kinds.

Design features include angled poles that protrude beyond horizontal roofs and large 'totem poles' to identify the stations. Cost and aesthetics were both important considerations in the design process.

The trunk stations are designed to sit in the middle of the road, but will need to deal with a variety of different space constraints, producing more than 13 design variations.

Some are particularly long and narrow, for example, in Paarden Island, while on Blaauwberg Road there will be H-shaped stations and the main station at Greenpoint Stadium will be V-shaped and capable of handling about 20 000 people per hour.

There will also be a station designed with cut outs to accommodate existing trees outside the old Imperial cold storage building close to Buitenkant St.

The R1,3 billion Phase 1A will eventually cover the entire city and will only be completed in 2018. For now, the Phase 1A will feature an extensive inner-city network with trunk services to the airport, Atlantis, the Bayside area, Du Noon and Century City. (click here to view the map of Phase 1, PDF 1.1mb)

The next priority is the procurement of the vehicles. The city is currently finalising a cost-estimate, and is preparing four separate tenders to be sent out no later than February 2009.

In the meantime, the City is continuing to engage with current bus and minibus taxi operators, who are key stakeholders and operators of the new system. (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/StationdesignscompletefornewCTpublictransportsystem.aspx)
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRT_station_design_11_11_08.jpg

Very clean and modern. :)

^^ Quite like them, elegant, simple with a slight funky edge. Just right for Cape Town! You go Zille!!! :cheers:

2018?!Typo?

^^ The West Coast (Table View/Du Noon/Milnerton) phase, the airport and inner-city phase will be done by June 2010. The city-wide BRT system covering Stellenbosch, all northern suburbs, southern suburbs and Cape Flats will be done in 2018.

2018?!Typo?

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/BRTPhasesTimeline2.jpg

Thank you for clearing that up guys.Never been outside the Cape Town area so I wouldn't know.Surely by 2018 CT will have an extensive high speed rail network too.

^^ That would be lovely. Lol

Do we need a high speed network? Its 20 mins from the airport to city centre, under an hour to stellenbosch and simons town and atlantis.

I'm not sure that we need the speed.

What's happenin with the rail link between the airport and the CBD? Did it die away?

Do we need a high speed network? Its 20 mins from the airport to city centre, under an hour to stellenbosch and simons town and atlantis.

I'm not sure that we need the speed.

Well maybe not a high-speed network, but a well-managed railway network. A slower Gautrain would be lovely.

Category 1: Rail system (incl. Park & Ride)

1.1 Rail Based Park & Ride Facilities
R 160 million
STATUS: N/A

Category 2: Strategic Public Transport Corridors

2.1 Klipfontein Corridor
R330 million
STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED
2.2.1 Upgrade Marine Drive/Church Street Interchange
R 190 million
STATUS: N/A

2.2.2 Culemborg/Spine Road and N1 BMT Phase 1 (CD Road)
R 72 million
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2.2.2 N1 CD Road
R 38 million
STATUS: N/A

2.3.1 R27 Contra Flow
R 19 million
STATUS: N/A

2.3.2 Koeberg Road Public Transport Corridor: Phase 1 Including Cycle Paths and Road in Rial Reserve
R 125 million

STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED

2.4 Symphony Way Corridor: Dualling from N2 to M12 including new bridge over N2
R 111.1 million
STATUS: N/A

2.5 Public Transport & Bus Infrastructure Upgrades on PT Corridors
R 100 million
STATUS: N/A
2.6 Public Transport & Bus Upgrades on Corridors
R 43 million
STATUS: N/A

Category 3: Road Based Public Transport

3.1 New Bus Fleet (250 buses)
R 360 million
STATUS: N/A
3.2 Bus Depots in City Area
R 750 million
STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED
3.3 CT Metro Wide Bus Based park and ride facilities
R120 million
STATUS: N/A
3.4 Hospital Bend Pre-Selection Scheme
R234.5 million
[B]STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION[B]

3.5 BRT system
(Airport City Link, Stadium City Link, Table View City Link, Inner City System)
R1300 million
STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED

Category 4: Long Distance Transport facilities

4.1.1 Airport Bus Terminus
R 15 million
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
4.1.2 Cape Town Long Distance Coach Terminal
R 28 million
STATUS: N/A
4.1.3 Belville Long Distance Coach Terminal
R 8 million
STATUS: N/A

Category 5: Non Motorised Transport infrastructure to support the operational plan

5.1 NMT Bridge Bhunga Avenue to Bridgetown
R 12 million
STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED
5.2 Rickshaws
R 1 million
STATUS: N/A

Category 6: Intelligent Transport Systems


6.1 Road Signage Upgrade
R30 million
STATUS: N/A
6.2 Integrated Fare Management System
R 140 million
STATUS: PLANNING

Category 7: Stadium Precinct & CBD link Infrastructure

7.1 Local Road Improvements
R12.5 million
STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED
7.2 Bus Shuttle Embayment's (Including Signage)
R 16.5 million
STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED

7.3 NMT network

7.3.1 Grade Separation Western Boulevard
R 30 million
STATUS: N/A
7.3.2 Precinct Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements
R6 million
STATUS: PLANNING COMPLETE
7.3.3 Somerset Road Pedestrian Improvements from Green Point Stadium to City Centre (CT Rail Station)
R 10 million
STATUS: PLANNING COMPLETE
7.3.4 Grade Separated Pedestrian Crossing: Buitengraght
R 20 million
STATUS: TENDER STAGE
7.3.5 City Centre Pedestrian Improvement
R 8 million
STATUS: TENDER STAGE
7.4 Informal Parking for FIFA Family at Greenpoint Stadium 3000 vehicles
R 3 million
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
7.5 Inner City Transport System: Support Infrastructure
R 12 million
STATUS: TENDER STAGE
7.6 Cape Town Central Station
R500 million
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Category 8: Operational management & integration

8.1 Development of Operational Management and Support Plans
R 15 million


Category 9: Provincial Fan Parks & Transportation

9.1 Provincial Fan Parks outside City Area
R 2 million
STATUS: N/A

Category 10: Other Projects not requiring PTIF funding

10.1 Upgrade Koeberg Interchange N1/M5 directional ramps & related infrastructure
R 630 million
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION


Category 11: Additional Projects

11.1 Tennant/de Villiers/Mc Kenzie Road Scheme
R 50 million
STATUS: N/A
11.2 Philippi Station Upgrade
R 20 million
STATUS: TENDER STAGE
11.3 Windermere Station and access road
R 30 million
STATUS: PLANNING COMPLETE
11.4 Athlone Station
R20 million
STATUS: N/A
11.5 Langa Station
R20 million
STATUS: PLANNING COMPLETE
11.6 Heideveld Station
R 20 million
STATUS: N/A

Category 12: Air based Transport Investments

12.1 Cape Town International Airport Upgrade (ACSA)
R1500 million
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
12.2 ExecuJet Private Airport
R200 million
STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Bring on the Pics!

MEC for Transport and Public Works, Marius Fransman



With the 2010 FIFA World Cup creating an unprecedented demand for accessible, safe and affordable public transport systems in South Africa, how prepared is Cape Town?

Rail as priority public transport for 2010 - with zero probability of failure. Sustainable, elegant, affordable and equitable transportation. Car free days, the bicycle for mass transportation, the improvement of public pedestrian spaces, the reduction of pollution… Are these pipe-dreams for Cape Town in 2010 and beyond?

Fascinating and accessible international and local perspectives will be provided on Tuesday 3 February at the Green Point Stadium Visitor Centre. Oscar Diaz of Bogota Colombia's world renowned TransMillenio project and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy that works with city governments around the world on making sustainable, people-friendly transport systems will co-present with Eddie Chinnappen, Executive Director of Transport, Roads & Stormwater in Cape Town, who will speak to Cape Town’s preparedness for 2010. Claire Janisch of the New Mobility Alliance - a Cape Town-based network looking to ensure a legacy of enhanced mobility and accessibility for the people of South Africa post-2010 – will introduce Mr Diaz and provide a context for the evening’s presentations.


PROGRAMME:

DATE: 3 February 2009
VENUE: Green Point Stadium Visitor Centre, Vlei Rd, Green Point
TIME: 17h30 - Arrival drinks & snacks (Drinks sponsored by Johnny Walker Black Label)

18h00 – 19h30: Presentations, Q&A
COST: R50
RESERVATIONS: Lana on 021 430 0410 /8 / lana@greenpointstadiumvc.co.za


The 2010 Lecture Series is a bi-weekly series of lectures by speakers who are integrally involved in the planning and implementation of national projects towards 2010, whose views are of special interest to the public

Category 5: Non Motorised Transport infrastructure to support the operational plan

5.1 NMT Bridge Bhunga Avenue to Bridgetown
R 12 million
STATUS: CONTRACTS AWARDED


Construction of one of the most important World Cup legacy projects in the city - the Bhunga Avenue footbridge - gets under way next week

Metrorail slashes ticket prices - to zero

Cape Town - Wednesdays are set to be free travel days on local trains for people aged 16 to 35, thanks to a joint initiative between the Western Cape Youth Commission and Metrorail.

The youth express train project was officially launched yesterday at the Cape Town station with the aim of encouraging young people to access transport either to get to work, or to get out there and look for jobs if they are unemployed.

All passengers must carry a valid South African identity document to benefit.

Siyazi Tyatyam, the commission's deputy chairman, said the reality was that 60 percent of youth remained unemployed in spite of some having skills and qualifications.

"We want the youth to come out of the corners and use the facilities that are given to them," said Tyatyam.

Every Wednesday between 9.30am and 2.20pm, when young people will be permitted to travel free, the trains will feature posters advertising jobs, learnerships and bursaries.

"We have negotiated with various government departments which have job vacancies so that these can be advertised on posters on the various routes," Tyatyam said.

Youngsters wanting to use the youth express trains need to register at their closest Metrorail station and collect coupons.

Metrorail regional manager Steven Ngobeni said they fully supported the initiative as it would help decrease unemployment rates among the youth.

"We've partnered with the Youth Commission in the hope that all young people will benefit because they are the ones who need to have jobs.

"That is why we're opening our resources for them to use," he said.

One unemployed person, Thandeka Tyala, 32, from Makhaza in Khayelitsha, said she was happy about the initiative.

"It's been years since I've been employed and this will help improve our lives," she said.

The free trains start running next Wednesday.

^^ good, one step to making sure that taxi guys suffer.

^^ good, one step to making sure that taxi guys suffer.

I wouldn't step on a train at this point in time if they payed me to, but I'll support anything that makes the taxi guys suffer :lol:

The taxi guys will probably want to burn the trains now. :booze:

I wouldn't step on a train at this point in time if they payed me to, but I'll support anything that makes the taxi guys suffer :lol:

Why? Don't you have anything to wear on public transport? You need a change of attitude, little brother... I've been taking trains since 1996 and I still do. Not bad...

I`v never set foot on a train in SA, but in europe i use them all the time, just think that one cant compare the two.

Trains on certain routes are far from terrible.
A train from Retreat to Kalk Bay to catch a bite at Olympia Cafe is lots of fun.
Certainly an experience.

Why? Don't you have anything to wear on public transport? You need a change of attitude, little brother... I've been taking trains since 1996 and I still do. Not bad...

Unfortunately many a person I know has had a few bad experiences with trains. I'll wait it out a little longer before taking the plunge thanks :)

just got the full low down on the 2010 transport plans in Cape Town!
wow!! wow! wow!

The city's transport guy, Eddie Chinnapen and the Bogota BRT masterplan guy were there to present!

Got to see century city station, athlone station, phillipi station, the main BRT station at Hertzog Boulevard, BRT busses!

More detail please!!

as always, the pics and presentation will be added to SSC as soon as I have a copy.

Well are the buses at least nice? Don't think we've seen them yet have we?

Knowing Cape Town...

Well are the buses at least nice? Don't think we've seen them yet have we?

yes. the tender will go out end Feb with busses arriving Jan/Feb 2010 for full operation by March 2010.

I saw a new design with table mountain in yellow around the bottom of the bus, with the rest of bus being white.

Great! As long as they aren't Golden Arrow-like it's all good.

nope. the doors will line up with the BRT stations sliding doors which will open directly into the bus doors

I meant more the ghastly colour.

I meant more the ghastly colour.

dont think so.

I'm not sure if this was posted before as I can't view pics.


http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRT_station_design_11_11_08.jpg

Very similar to ReaVaya.

Hertzog Boulevard will act as the main transport hub for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It will include the largest BRT station and will be entire reconfigured to maximize access. It is strategically located within footsteps of the long distance bus terminal and Cape Town Central Station.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/213/458887949_ab3289be96_b.jpg

Ag no man, they just planted those trees! now they going to uproot everything!

they could just move them elsewhere

nope. the doors will line up with the BRT stations sliding doors which will open directly into the bus doors

Like my signature link I imagine...

Man, bring on the BRT system! cant wait for the day i'm enjoying my retirement with the penguins down in Simons Town, and climb on a clean, efficient bus for a smooth ride all the way through to CT central for a nice coffee at Greenmarket Sq :) - Not that the trains that bad at all, hell, ive been riding the train to and from CT with a pair of slops and a beach towel since I was 12 and never had any incident

Cost Revisions: February 2009
Cost changes in bold
Additions in red


Category 1: Rail system (incl. Park & Ride)

1.1 Rail Based Park & Ride Facilities
R 50.6 million reduced from R160 million

1.2 Rail Rolling Strock Upgrade
R1200 million


Category 2: Strategic Public Transport Corridors

2.1 Klipfontein Corridor
R286 million reduced from R330 million

2.4 Symphony Way Corridor: Dualling from N2 to M12 including new bridge over N2
R52 million reduced from R111 mllion

2.5 Public Transport & Bus Infrastructure Upgrades on PT Corridors
R40 million down from R100 million

2.6 Public Transport & Bus Upgrades on Corridors
R62.8 million, up from R43 million

3.4 Hospital Bend Pre-Selection Scheme
R234.6 million up from R234.5 million

3.5 BRT system
(Airport City Link, Stadium City Link, Table View City Link, Inner City System)
R1450 million, up from R1300 million


3.6 R300 Upgrade
R525 million


3.7 Airport City Link: BMT Lanes (Vanguard Drive to Borched's Quarry)
R200 million

3.8 Rehabilitation of Table Bay Boulevard
R110 million

Category 4: Long Distance Transport facilities

STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION
4.1.2 Cape Town Long Distance Coach Terminal
R35 million, up from R28 million

Category 5: Non Motorised Transport infrastructure to support the operational plan

5.1 NMT Bridge Bhunga Avenue to Bridgetown
R 22 million, up from R12 million

Category 6: Intelligent Transport Systems

STATUS: N/A
6.2 Integrated Fare Management System
R 100 million, down from R140 million

Category 7: Stadium Precinct & CBD link Infrastructure

7.1 Local Road Improvements
R40.53 million, up from R12.5 million

7.2 Bus Shuttle Embayment's (Including Signage)
R20.5 million, up from R16.5 million


7.3 NMT network

7.3.1 Grade Separation Western Boulevard
R 53.4 million, up from R30 million
STATUS: N/A

7.3.2 Precinct Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements
R10 million, up from R6 million

7.3.3 Somerset Road Pedestrian Improvements from Green Point Stadium to City Centre (CT Rail Station)
R 75 million, up from R10 million

7.3.4 Grade Separated Pedestrian Crossing: Buitengraght
R 32 million, up from R20 million

7.3.5 City Centre Pedestrian Improvement
R 28 million up from R8 million

7.4 Informal Parking for FIFA Family at Greenpoint Stadium 3000 vehicles
R 30 million, up from R3 million

7.5 Inner City Transport System: Support Infrastructure
R 20 million, up from R12 million

7.6 Granger Bay Boulevard
R21 million

Category 10: Other Projects not requiring PTIF funding

10.1 Upgrade Koeberg Interchange N1/M5 directional ramps & related infrastructure
R 705 million, up from R630 million


Category 11: Additional Projects

11.2 Philippi Station Upgrade
R 65 million, up from R20 million

11.3 Windermere Station and access road
R 45 million, up from R30 million

11.4 Athlone Station
R5 million, down from R20 million

11.5 Langa Station
R67.5 million, up from R20 million

11.6 Heideveld Station
R 18 million, down from R20 million

Category 12: Air based Transport Investments

12.1 Cape Town International Airport Upgrade (ACSA)
R2200 million, up from R1500 million

What is this >> Grade Separation Western Boulevard >> whats a grade separation ?

I think its just the circle. Spectators move under the circle while cars move on the circle, meaning a grade separation so that pedestrian access can take place.

Category 5: Non Motorised Transport infrastructure to support the operational plan

5.1 NMT Bridge Bhunga Avenue to Bridgetown
Cost: R 22 million
Status: Construction underway
Construction period: 10 months

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Bhunga1.png
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Bhunga2.png

Bhunga Avenue pedestrian and cycle bridge over the N2.

The link would benefit the many people from Langa and Athlone who needed to cross the freeway to places of employment, the stadium and other facilities, including that in Bridgetown for passengers with special needs.

Category 7: Stadium Precinct & CBD link Infrastructure

7.3.4 Grade Separated Pedestrian Crossing: Buitengraght
Cost: R 32 million

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/BuitengrachtBridge1.png
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten9.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten8.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten7.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten6.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten5.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten4.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten3.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten2.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Buiten1.jpg

A permanent pedestrian bridge at the Coen Steytler intersection will carry pedestrians and cyclists across Buitengracht inbound, between North Wharf Square and the median island. This crossing was very hazardous with a lot of fatal accidents.

Because the intersection was a "gateway" to the city, architects were involved in the bridge's design. It would have a glass screen along the western edge to provide weather protection as well as act as a noise barrier for the adjacent hotel.

People in wheelchairs will be able to get onto the bridge via a lift. Security on the bridge and surrounding areas would be monitored with CCTV.

Hertzog Boulevard
Main BRT Station, Main Transport Hub

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/MainTransportHubSmall.jpg

Inner City BRT Services
Feeder and Trunk Routes

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/BRTInnerCityServiceSmall.jpg

Cape Town Station

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/View.png

Waterkant Bridge

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/WaterkantBridge.jpghttp://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/WaterkantBridge1.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/WaterkantBridge2.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/WaterkantBridge3.jpg

Jirrraaaa, this is exciting.
Really stepping into a first world public transport zone, something we have never had ... I mean we used to use the CPT - Simonstown train line for surfing, and that, even in the 80's, was pretty good, but the rest of the system has been shabby for decades.
This is brilliant!

Re:Grade Separated Pedestrian Crossing: Buitengraght
Interesting to note that they have taken the unfinished elevated freeway into consideration. Surely the 2 lift shafts are a waste of money if this is one giant ramp which someone in a wheel chair could easily ride over ?

They always choose the most hilarious group of people possible to place in renders xD

But seriously, this is all excellent. I can't wait for completion.

Re:Grade Separated Pedestrian Crossing: Buitengraght
Interesting to note that they have taken the unfinished elevated freeway into consideration. Surely the 2 lift shafts are a waste of money if this is one giant ramp which someone in a wheel chair could easily ride over ?

temporary lift shafts

its like the BRT station will be intergrated with the council buildings plaza that links artscape to council building. hope they continue the concrete feel and use glass.

i wish the hertzog BRT station continues the style of the plaza's and surrounding structures. what an imposing main transport hub!!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/481756246_35c435386a_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/218/456871298_78c7d696c9.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/184/456871642_c9482c0fc6.jpg?v=0
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9gOWSCdTWZE/Rx_HJ0aMifI/AAAAAAAAAFI/INw5IOhQl8A/n29101093_30465225_7332.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/417596277_02081369f5.jpg?v=0

A cool blog about a commuter who has decided to use public transport.

With pics!!

http://capecommuter.blogspot.com

I saw a Golden Arrow bendy bus yesterday.... in Bellville. Didn't know they were planning to use articulated buses....

Topic: Transport 2010: The Inner City Plan
Speaker: Andrew Bulman of Arcus Gibb, the international engineering consultants contracted to the 2010 event.

Bulman spoke as a representative of the City of Cape Town and a
large consortium of seven companies who make up the transport planning team for 2010.

Bulman began his presentation by introducing the audience to the Host City Transport Operations Plan, covering the entire Metro. Explaining that his team were already on version three of the plan, and highlighting the commitment that the City of Cape Town has made towards transport planning in order to make thee 2010 event a success, Bulman noted that he
had personally already been contracted to the project for three years.

Explained Bulman,
“Operational planning is already about two-thirds complete and we‟re starting now with the key focus areas of resourcing and delivery – in other words, putting the plan into action.”

Focusing his presentation on the Central City for the purposes of the Forum, Bulman noted that the Cape Town Station would be the core of the transport hub around which everything else would function – namely the Fan Walk, the FIFA Fan Park on the Grand Parade, the long distance bus terminus between the station and the Civic Centre, as well as the Main Transport Hub in Hertzog Boulevard which would eventually serve as the primary BRT trunk station around which all road-based public transport was being organised.

Overflow event “Park „n Ride” facilities during the 2010 event would be located in the District Six area, part of the Culemborg area, and the area under the Foreshore freeways.


Although 2010 would leave behind an R8.5-billion legacy of transport infrastructure, the match schedule proposed for Cape Town would ensure that as little disruption as possible would be caused to traffic particularly during peak hours. According to Bulman, the City is fortunate in
that six of the eight matches will be held at 8.30pm at night and a seventh would be on a Saturday, with only one scheduled to begin at 1.30pm on a weekday.


The Spectator Transport Services that will be key to the event are:

- The Airport Shuttle Service
- Public Transport Service to the CBD (including “Park „n Ride” facilities)
- An Inner City transport service
- A Stadium shuttle service on match days , and
- A V&A Waterfront Shuttle Service on Match Days.

These were the key focus areas for the team - the major pillar of which would be to make use of existing resources and integrate existing and future public transport services in order to be able to leave behind a viable transport legacy for Cape Town beyond 2010.

Turning this attention to the inner city BRT, Bulman noted that approximately 80 buses would serve the inner city on frequencies of three to four minutes in either direction, linking the Waterfront and the Convention Centre to the whole of Cape Town. Phase one would also include trunk services coming in from Tableview and from the Airport.


Explaining that a very important part of planning for the World Cup lay in accessing travel demand management, Bulman reported that currently 400 000 enter and leave the CBD every 24 hours with 60 000 per hour in the morning and afternoon peak – about 50% of that in private vehicles. It has been estimated that the World Cup would increase those numbers by
only 40 to 50%. “So we‟re not talking of doubling,” says Bulman. “Plus we have a number of suggested measures in place, including scheduling of holidays, flexitime arrangements, work-aholidays, car sharing and having the event between five weeks of university and school holidays
should reduce traffic by up to 20%.

Think of how much easier it is to drive into town during the
school holidays.” There was also a misconception that road access throughout the city would be closed down for the entire 30 days of the event: “There will be some road closures and restrictions from
lunchtime onwards on those eight match days, but that‟s it,” said Bulman. “On all other days of the event, we‟re looking at minimal road closures and minimal disruption to the traffic of Cape Town. Let‟s be very clear on that.”


“On non-match days, the only real road closures we‟re looking at are Plein Street and Darling Street around the Fan Park. There are no other planned road closures.”

Talking about the distance spectators would need to walk along the Fan Walk to reach the stadium, Bulman reported that during the UEFA Euro 2008, FIFA had deemed it acceptable for fans in Switzerland to walk up to 4km to reach one of the stadiums. “We thought no one would walk the 2.5km to Green Point Stadium, but our international experts said: „No problem!‟”

I hope we get the city to airport rail way link

I hope we get the city to airport rail way link

The property arm of Bidvest owns a fair bit of property on the eastern side of the airport (around the pick n pay storage facility) and they just finished building a massive warehouse on one of the propertys. Spoke to the guys in charge and they said that they had to build the property around a potential rail path which would link the railway line from the belhar side into the airport. So they definatly seem to be making provision for it, whether we will ever get to see it built is another story.... and if its built who would actually make use of it.

The property arm of Bidvest owns a fair bit of property on the eastern side of the airport (around the pick n pay storage facility) and they just finished building a massive warehouse on one of the propertys. Spoke to the guys in charge and they said that they had to build the property around a potential rail path which would link the railway line from the belhar side into the airport. So they definatly seem to be making provision for it, whether we will ever get to see it built is another story.... and if its built who would actually make use of it.

The project remains in planning. With construction starting towards the end of the year or early 2010. Whether people use it or not is not the issue.
A world class city that claims to be a tourist destination must have basic infrastructure in place. An airport to city centre rail link is one of those along with a cruise terminal etc.

The property arm of Bidvest owns a fair bit of property on the eastern side of the airport (around the pick n pay storage facility) and they just finished building a massive warehouse on one of the propertys. Spoke to the guys in charge and they said that they had to build the property around a potential rail path which would link the railway line from the belhar side into the airport. So they definatly seem to be making provision for it, whether we will ever get to see it built is another story.... and if its built who would actually make use of it.
cool thanks for that update

Public Transport Tenders

What has been awarded? To which company? What sort of works?


January 2009

1. Street lighting for Western Boulevard: Cape Town/Public Lighting's 2010 lighting program
Company: Beka Lighting
Value: R2.5 million

2. Provision of professional services: Integrated rapid transport project

BKS (Pty) Ltd R3,864,828.00
Nesha's Transport Consultancy CC R1,792,650.00
DR Bosch R2,250,645.00
Khuthele Projects (Pty) Ltd R2,124,162.00
Planet Waves115 (Pty) LtdR1,651,058.00

3. Construction of non-motorised transport facilities (NMT): Somerset and Ebenezer roads (world cup 2010 project)
Company: Civils 2000
Value: R45.5 million

4. Extensions to the CCTV surveillance system along Klipfontein corridor and the N1 Freeway.
Company: R Taliep t/a Secure Electronics CC
Value: R11.4 million

5. Additional work at Granger Bay boulevard and Green Point traffic circle to be undertaken by exiting contractor (Contract 231Q/2007/08) and consultant (Contract 150C/2005/06
Company: Martin & East, Ninham Shand
Value: R52.8 million

Public Transport Tenders

What has been awarded? To which company? What sort of works?

December 2008

1. Project: Construction of public transport corridor along route R27 from Racecourse road to Blaauwberg road: roadworks, services accommodation and appurtenant works
Company: Baseline Civil Contractors (Pty) Ltd
Value: R95.8 million

2. Project: For the construction of Bosduif/ Petunia, Athlone: Non-motorised transport facilities, hard and soft landscaping-phase 2 (world cup 2010 projects)
Company: Amandla Construction CC t/a Amandla Construction PD Naidoo & Associates
Value: R7.3 million

3. Project: Construction of Liesbeek Parkway Mowbray: Non-Motorised transport facilities, hard and soft landscaping- phase 2 (world cup 2010 project)
Company: Mark Darius Civils/Sihlange Projects JV PD Naidoo & Associates
Cost: R10.1 million

4. Project: Construction of public transport corridor through Culemborg from Old Marine Drive to Church street: Roadworks, relocation of railways, service accomodation and appurtenant works
Company: Civils 2000 (Pty) Ltd
Value: 54.2 million

5. Project: Construction of public transport corridor along route R27 from Milner street to Racecourse road: Roadworks, services accommodation and appurtenant works
Company: Martin & East (Pty) Ltd
Value: R147.3 million

6. Project:Transport management centre: Construction of multi-storey office block, Goodwood (world cup 2010 project)
Comapny: WBHO/Peter Harley Construction JV
Value: R 98.4 million

7. Project: The construction of Bhunga Avenue pedestrain/ cycle bridge over N2 and linking non-motorised (NMT) infrastructure (world cup 2010 project)
Company: Vusela Construction (Pty) Ltd
Value: R20.4 million

8. Project: Upgrading of road signs M3, M4 , M5
Company: Kohler signs
Value: R3.5 million

Public Transport Tenders

What has been awarded? To which company? What sort of works?

November 2008


1. Project: Buitengragt structural steel pedestrian bridge at Coen Steytler avenue (World cup 2010 project)
Company: Vusela Construction
Value: R 30.3 million

2. Project: Construction of public transport corridor through the Paarden Eiland railway spur from N1 underpass to Milner road:Roadworks, services accommodation and appurtenant works
Company: Martin & East (Pty) Ltd
Value: R90.3 million

3. Project: Construction of public transport corridor through Paarden Eiland from the N1 underpass to Milner Road: New bridge structure over Salt River Canal (World cup 2010 project)
Company: Civils 2000 (Pty) Ltd
Value: R18 million

4. Project: Inner City Link Infrastructure Projects (2010 world cup):
Company: Messrs Arcus Gibb
Value: R17.1 million

5. Project: Request for Deviation: Maintenance of all existing CCTV Systems and equipment for the City of Cape Town's Metropolitan area
Company: Zelpy 1501 (Pty) Ltd t/a CSSI
Value: R 87,053.26

6. Project: Mitchells Plain public transport interchange and CBD upgrading: Southern terminal: Phase 1: Pedestrainisation of 7th avenue and administration offices
Company: Tempani Construction (Pty)Ltd
Value: R 475,288.27

7. Project: Khayelitsha: Public transport interchange, Station 4, North square-building works
Company: Edel Construction (Pty) Ltd
Value: R24.8 million

Work started today - Bhunga Avenue pedestrain/ cycle bridge over N2

Today's Argus Front Page
:guns1:Thought you would love what Zille has said to the taxi's in Cape Town! Ha ha... f' you "law unto yourself" bastards. Someone who has the guts to show the single-finger salute to these disgusting commute-bosses of Satan.:guns1:

http://vne-resource.iol.co.za/6/picdb/page_thumbs/medium_new/page_14149222.jpg

I saw Golden Arrow busses in Tygervalley that are linked together in a way BRT busses are linked together. Like an expandable thingy in the centre of the two buses.

Is this new?

Like the thing in the middle of this bus.

http://laist.com/attachments/lindsayrebecca/TRANOLineBus.jpg

^^hehe.I think its called an accordion point or joint but thats not the official name either.I think I've seen articulated Putco buses here too hey.

^^ was watching top gear the other night jermey clarkson hates the things calls them bendy busses

There are a few in JHB but mainly for long haul transport - they called articulated busses and the JHB BRT will have them (you even get busses with two of those things - they are long shit)

cant wait for the day we bid farewell to Golden Arrow buses and welcome the new, world class, BRT style ones

cant wait for the day we bid farewell to Golden Arrow buses and welcome the new, world class, BRT style ones

Are Golden Arrow not staying in business? I remember those busses from a while back.

Boesak warns Zille over army
Cape Town - Helen Zille's threat to deploy the army to quell taxi violence was reminiscent of the apartheid era, Cope's Western Cape premier candidate Allan Boesak said on Wednesday.

Boesak said he wanted to remind Zille, his Democratic Alliance rival for the premiership, that the primary duty of the army was to defend the country and its people.

Furthermore, he said, in terms of the Constitution executive mayors do not have the power to deploy soldiers.

"With this in mind, I call on Helen Zille to urgently reconsider this premature and dangerous intention," Boesak said in a statement.

"Many of us remember the days when the Army was deployed against those who had grievances with those in power and resorted to civil disobedience.

"Such tactics must always be the last resort as we never again want to see troops deployed against ordinary South African citizens."

Army to be called if violence persists

Zille this week said she would call in the army if there was more violent protest from taxi operators at the city's plans to establish a proper public transport system in Cape Town.

The warning came after talks between the city and taxi owners affiliated to the National Taxi Association (NTA) over Cape Town's Integrated Rapid Transport broke down on Sunday.

Rather use the police

During a taxi strike last month, the group was accused of preventing buses from taking commuters to work.

Boesak said the violence and intimidation linked to the standoff was "unacceptable" but must be dealt with by the police and municipal law enforcement authorities.

He said Zille may have added to taxi operators' frustration by reportedly waiting until Sunday to give them a presentation about the new transport system.

"I believe this should have been done early in last year when the plan... had been announced in the media by the Mayor.

"Clearly, the taxi associations should have been engaged at the preliminary stages and not after the work has already started. This lack of consultation may account for the tensions now being experienced and does not meet the prescriptions of various laws."

^^ :ohno: No Boesak!!! For this reason alone, I think COPE provincially is not the best choice. Now Boesak insinuates Helen is following Apartheid protocol to protect ordinary citizens from taxi thugs. Wake up Boesak... last time there was a strike, people died, hoards of bus drivers injured, chaos ensued, parts of the city were brought to its knees and taxi thugs went on a rampage reminiscent of all-out-war.

This is an extraordinary circumstance, the police have already proven themselves impotent against this treachery and abuse of civil society. If the same thing happens again, Helen should call in the army... the taxi drivers have proven they hold no government official, no policeman and no citizen with any regard.

I fully agree with you annman ... this is just a ploy by cope to gain votes and discredit the DA

Such BS: The taxi associations were consulted early into the process and now they are going on the rampage. If the army is required to quell violence and unrest, such as they have done many times before, then so be it. Boesak is just electioneering - if the decision were up to him he would also call in the army.

What on earth? Whilst any opposition is opposition, you can see COPE is made up of ex-ANC members and its fair share of idiots. Boesak being an excellent example.

If the army is there to protect, what the hell does he think deploying them to stop taxi violence insinuates?

Can't see much, but this is the commencement of the Buitengracht Pedestrian Bridge at the Waterfront entrance...

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc40/andresannman/100_5212.jpg

That Boesak sounds like a meathead, no offense, but I mean, the white = apartheid thing is getting old... maybe they should come up with alternatives. So if they think deploying the army is way too much, they should offer an alternative solution, that's what the opposition work is (or should be) about, right?

This only proves how much SA is different to Western countries...

This only proves how much SA is different to Western countries...
Hmmm... DUH? Preaching the the Capetonian choir.

*I write in an English thread after people comment how crap the wine is in Birmingham: "This only proves how much England is different compared to France, Spain and Italy."*

Brain fart. :)

This only proves how much SA is different to Western countries...

I'd say stupidity is more like a global phenomenon.

I am sad to report that on Thursday morning the train from Belleville to Cape Town via Monte Vista was the target of an armed robbery.
People were robbed of valuables, stabbed and hit.
A woman that was stabbed told me how it happened. She also related how a man's jaw was broken. He was seriously injured. Aparantly they didn't hand over sutff quickly enough.
People were forced into adjacent coaches, thus cleaning out the coaches one by one.

Since Thursday afternoon I've seen police on the coaches.
It does not make me feel any better though.
I actually feel like an idiot after ranting about the power of positive thinking a while ago on my blog. That'll teach me.

This is sad and I am reluctant to take public transport any more, although I've been on it again this morning, feeling very nervous and regarding anyone as a potential killer, robber or looter.

Until we have the level of security on public transport to match the level of crime in this country, public transport will unfortunately remain unsafe.

Until we have the level of security on public transport to match the level of crime in this country, public transport will unfortunately remain unsafe.

...and therefor I can no longer recommend public transport to anyone that wants a safe journey.
Metrorail claims that they are the ones that are "Getting South Africa to work", there's nothing in there that says that they'll get you back safe.

This whole upgrade of the system has become meaningless if you see it in perspective. What good is an upgrade when you're gonna get hurt or killed on it?

I don't want to share the public transport system with killers. I sincerely hope that more will be done to add proper safety and security systems.

It seems the majority of people have always suffered at the hands of these elements but that it is simply accepted as a part of life.

So it seems then that South Africa is after more than 14 years of new democracy still ruled by violence, poverty and greed with mostly guns and knives.

^^Today I am having one of my serious anti-SA days, and this is enough to REALLY FUCK ME OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^^Today I am having one of my serious anti-SA days, and this is enough to REALLY FUCK ME OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm always so optimistic, never accepting the worst could happen. Now I suppose I'll have to become more realistic and be vigilant, afraid, scared and prepared. I already have plans going forward. I'm taking an old cellphone on the train, no wallet, no valuables. Just me and a book and an old cellphone, heck I may even fake an old wallet with R10 in it too.

I don't want to loose, my SIM, creditcard, license card, all the other cards and my life.

So you see, you need a survival pack and stick to a survival guide.

New transport system will be fully accessible

LOUISA STEYL

ACCORDING to The City of Cape
Town, the new integrated rapid
transport (IRT) system will be fully
accessible to special needs passengers.
This includes the physically disabled,
the elderly and parents with
prams.
The IRT is planned to consist of
regular and efficient bus systems,
which are referred as trunk systems,
along with smaller busses
that will transport passengers to
stations on major routes (feeders).
“Inside both trunk and feeder vehicles,
there will be designated
open spaces for securing of wheelchairs,”
says Kylie Hatton, a spokesperson
for the City.
The busses will also be easy to access
by people with wheelchairs.
“All feeder vehicles will be equipped
with ramps that can be pulled
out to allow wheelchair access into
the vehicles,” Hatton explains.
Maddie Mazaza, Acting Executive
Director for Transport, Roads
and Stormwater, says: “Persons
will be able to access the stations
through a gentle ramp. The entry
gates will be wide enough for wheelchair
and pram entry. There will
then be level entry from the stations
into the trunk vehicles.”
She says the City is working to ensure
pedestrian pathways leading
up to the stations are universally
accessible for all.
According to Mazaza, the City is
conducting audits to identify problems
like lack of level surfaces,
lack of drop kerbs, blockages on
footpaths and lack of sufficient
lighting.
They will be incorporating upgrades
into the infrastructure tenders.
Mazaza says accommodation is
also being made for the sight impaired
with tactile flooring and Braille
signage available at all stations.
She says digital voice messages
will also be a standard feature to update
passengers on vehicle arrivals.
The City hopes to be able to provide
job opportunities to people with
disabilities within the new system.
“Consideration has also been given
to kiosk design and other infrastructure
components so that the
physically disabled are able to be
employed,” Mazaza says.
She says in the bigger picture and
the City’s overall transport strategy
accessibility of the IRT system is facilitating
the implementation of
our vision and plans on putting
“Public Transport, People and Quality
of Life First”.
“We have to ensure that the
young, the old, persons with disabilities
have equal access to safe, accessible
and affordable public
transport,” Mazaza says.

Does the article come with pics?
Blitz is available online.

That's sad Pete, the problem is that the police will be visible for a certain preiod and after that they will vanish. You need to try and lure as may people as you can and write a petition to the city to make sure that it takes up the matter with the useless metrorail.

Does the article come with pics?
Blitz is available online.

no pics with the article, but here's the link to the PDF's...each page is a PDF on it's own
BLITZ (http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/Communication/External_Communication/commuting_times/menu.htm)

The last page is usually very informative as it shows number of delays etc, but this week the PDF won't open 100% on my side.

That's sad Pete, the problem is that the police will be visible for a certain preiod and after that they will vanish. You need to try and lure as may people as you can and write a petition to the city to make sure that it takes up the matter with the useless metrorail.

Ya Pule, that's true and already I've just fallen in with the rest of the crowd by just accepting what happened. I'm standing in the queue again for the next time...

no pics with the article, but here's the link to the PDF's...each page is a PDF on it's own
BLITZ (http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/Communication/External_Communication/commuting_times/menu.htm)

The last page is usually very informative as it shows number of delays etc, but this week the PDF won't open 100% on my side.

In the past when downloading BLITZ I hate when I have downloaded like a 6mb file and its a freakin Shoprite Ad!!! Tin peas R6.99!!

So sorry to hear Pete. And to think I was crapped on for being wary of trains. I really hope we can do something regarding security very soon, as this is ridiculous.

It is very ridiculous. :\

In the past when downloading BLITZ I hate when I have downloaded like a 6mb file and its a freakin Shoprite Ad!!! Tin peas R6.99!!

Tin peas R6.99!!, very funny, this has me in stitches now, thanks Mo

no pics with the article, but here's the link to the PDF's...each page is a PDF on it's own
BLITZ (http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/Communication/External_Communication/commuting_times/menu.htm)

The last page is usually very informative as it shows number of delays etc, but this week the PDF won't open 100% on my side.
That last page is interesting indeed.

To put things into perspective: here is a diagram of the punctuality in various European countries and Japan:

http://i41.************/dra553.gif

In BLITZ I see that MetroRail archieves something around 90%. That would be between Germany and the UK.

For the Southern Line, the track occupancy would be about 20, so 90% would be a very normal score for a western country. :)

But remember: even here in NL, the people complain about bad performance, pointing at Japan and Switzerland. :lol:

Here in the UK your lucky if it even turns up, so Japan is like some crazy dream - as for SA thats good to hear, would be better if it could be improved further!

I posted this on my blog today, thought you'd find it amusing, amazing or maybe even informative:

Metrorail's FAQ
Herewtih some interesting responses to frequently asked questions by Metrorail. I found some of these really funny...

PREACHING ON TRAINS
Many customers welcome preachers, others find them offensive. Metrorail receives complaints from time to time, usually because some of these preachers are intolerant of other creeds. On the whole, though, the feedback from commuters travelling on coaches where there are preachers has mostly been positive.
However, where it is brought to Metrorail’s attention that preaching on trains is offensive, has a negative impact or inconveniences commuters, action will be taken and the offenders can be arrested and prosecuted in terms of section 12(1) (d) of Schedule 1 of the Legal Succession Transport Act 9/1989:
* “A person who knowingly acts in such a manner as to inconvenience in an unreasonable manner a passenger in any vehicle of the Company shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction any competent court may impose, in its discretion, a fine or imprisonment, or a fine and imprisonment, or an other suitable punishment within the court’s jurisdiction”

COMMUTERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR RAIL SERVICE
Commuters can contribute substantially to improve their commuting experience through self-management. Ensure that you act lawfully and encourage fellow passengers to do the same.
• Familiarise yourself with the Legal Succession Act (Act 89 of 1989), Schedule 1, Section 12(1)
• Pay your way – Ensure that you buy a train ticket and report those who avoid paying fares. • Customer punctuality - Be punctual and board/alight your train safely and promptly
• Be safety conscious - Adhere to safety requirements. Develop a culture of rail safety by teaching your family safe habits such as crossing railway lines at authorised subways, pedestrian bridges or level crossings. Stand behind the yellow line on the platform and ensure that train doors are closed before departure and in transit.
• Be security conscious - Be vigilant when travelling alone or after dark, whenever possible travel in groups and arrange to be met at the station. Avoid travelling with valuables and/or cash. If you own a cellular phone, pre-programme it to dial emergency numbers. Be observant should you witness an incident of any kind and supply the SAPS official with as much detail as possible. Report all incidences, no matter how insignificant these may seem. Information leading to the conviction of criminals is rewarded with as much as R25 000.
• Hold local authorities accountable for spending your rates/taxes
You have the right to demand value for your money. Station/rail surrounds should be clean and safe in your neighbourhood. Insist that municipal property adjoining rail precincts in your area be appropriately secured especially if located close to facilities for children and the aged/infirm.
Report illegal land invasion and hawking activities immediately to the appropriate authorities. Protect the environment and preserve precious land. Inquire whether new commercial and/or residential developments can be accessed by rail.

So I take it from this that it's up to me to make things better?...mmmm
I mean, I have to improve my rail service?!?!

Blitz to stop illegal use of N2 taxi lane

In a clampdown on illegal driving in the N2's dedicated bus and minibus taxi (BMT) lane, stringent speed limits will be enforced for buses and taxis, and all government and municipal vehicles have been banned from the lane.

More on the BMT lane

Traffic Officials clamp down on BMT lane offenders

By Sasha Forbes
24 March 2009

Cape Town Traffic Services have taken a no-nonsense approach regarding enforcement of the BMT lane. Although there are cameras strategically installed along the N2, it is essential, but not always possible, that visible policing is also carried out.

“Yesterday a total of 348 fines were issued of which a 184 were issued for disregarding the BMT lane itself,” said spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services Merle Lourens.

People need to acknowledge the fact that the BMT lane is there for public transport and not for normal motorists as it is there for public commuters to get into the city centre faster and for them to get to work on time.

“Our officers will be out there in full force and we will be doing this on a daily bases, not necessarily on the exact same spot but we will be continuing these types of operations,” said Lourens

I thought that lane was policed automagically using the cameras..

Like Madrid and many other modern cities, A central transport authority is vital to co-ordinate and carry out the level of transport operations and deliver the the transport infrastructure, required to support the growing demands of a city.

Comments on the establishment of a Municipal Entity for the provision of Municipal Public Transport Services



On 3rd December 2008, the City of Cape Town resolved to establish a Municipal Entity as the appropriate mechanism to provide municipal public transport services in terms of the requirements of the Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2003. Further to this process, the public is invited to make comments in terms of Section 84 of the Municipal Financial Management Act No 56 of 2003.

The Municipal Entity will manage and administer Cape Town’s municipal public transport operations. The City will retain overall strategic planning and policy formulation in respect of transport services.

More information about the Municipal Entity is available in a document entitled “Information Statement on the Establishment of a Municipal Entity for the Provision of Municipal Public Transport Services” at the City’s head and satellite offices. Copies are also obtainable from City libraries. Online readers can access the document by clicking here (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/mpts/Documents/s84(1)%20rpt%20of%20the%20MFMA%20final%20a.pdf).

Comments can be submitted to Mr L Holtzhause, by
e-mail : louis.holtzhausen@capetown.gov.za
fax : 021 400 4931
post : City of Cape Town, PO Box 298, Cape Town, 8000.

The deadline for submissions is 15 May 2009.

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/03/27/11/43/3050760_bigthumb.jpg (http://www.picamatic.com/view/3050760_HCTOP/)

So sorry to hear what happened to Pete... my question is, is it really SO hard to implement proper transport security? I mean, if the country is up for all the work (and money) hosting the World Cup takes, why not do the same effort to protect their own citizens on their way to work everyday?

I just can't imagine what it feels like to go to work everyday fearing you might be mugged or killed... it's just not healthy to live under such stress on a daily basis.

PS: This comes from someone that respects SA and wants just the best for your country, not a hater. Those who know me here in the SA forum would know that by now.

Revised Investment FIgures

Road Based: R3.7 billion

National R1,600 million
Provincial R837 million
City of Cape Town R735 million
SANRAL R525 million

ACSA

CTIA R2.210 billion

SARCC

Rail system R1.75 billion

Bus and Taxi Recapitalization : R1.4 billion

PS: This comes from someone that respects SA and wants just the best for your country, not a hater. Those who know me here in the SA forum would know that by now.
Don't worry, you've been an SA contributor long enough, you're entitled to bitch. And I feel the same way... if the Cape Town partnership can make the CBD one of the safest places in SA, where walking around at night is not a Fear Factor mission, then if Metrorail had anyone with half-a-brain working there, they could do it too for trains and stations. Metrorails ineptitude is preposterous!!! :ohno:

I just can't imagine what it feels like to go to work everyday fearing you might be mugged or killed... it's just not healthy to live under such stress on a daily basis.

I dont feel this way when using public transport. Public transport saftey is improving, when travelling to town using the train, I noticed an increase in surcurity guards.
In some areas, things are getting better for South Africans....Its not all bad

If a place as highly guarded as Canal Walk can fall victim to armed robbery, public transport makes me very wary until standards are improved drastically.

I dont feel this way when using public transport. Public transport saftey is improving, when travelling to town using the train, I noticed an increase in surcurity guards.
In some areas, things are getting better for South Africans....Its not all bad

That's good to hear... I mean, substantial changes don't usually happen overnight, so at least it is good to see that some stuff is improving... however, that shouldn't be used as an excuse (by politicians) for not doing enough.

Wish I could see behind the barricades, but seems a lot is going on under the trees at the intersection of Coen Steytler and Buitengracht...
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc40/andresannman/100_5275.jpg

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/04/14/06/25/3258131_543x791.JPG
http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/04/14/06/25/3258131_543x791.JPG

Mo_Rush - are the maps from different years? They appear to be very similar...there looks to be very high usage among employed people in parts of the city. What are some of the the other demographic characteristics of these areas? Do many of them represent a fairly median/average slice of the city?

Mo_Rush - are the maps from different years? They appear to be very similar...there looks to be very high usage among employed people in parts of the city. What are some of the the other demographic characteristics of these areas? Do many of them represent a fairly median/average slice of the city?

Hi there

The graphics are from the cities Integrated Transport Plan which you can find at http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ITP/Pages/default.aspx and http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/HelptheCityupdateitsintegratedtransportplan.aspx

I think that document will explain things better.

R418-million station facelift ahead of 2010

By: Carla Thomaz
10th April 2009

The Cape Town railway station complex, which was built in 1961 and covers between 25 and 35 city blocks, is under- going a multibillion-rand redevelopment.

Property management company Intersite regional manager Lindelo Matya says: “The first phase of the multi-phased development, which has already quietly started behind the scenes, will be completed by December 2009 in preparation for 2010 FIFA World Cup.” Metrorail, which estimates that Cape Town station will attract close to 150 000 commuters during the World Cup has allocated close to R418-million for the first phase of refurbishment.

The initial phases, known as Cape Town Station 2010 Projects, will transform the station into a retail and entertainment centre by 2010 and consist of alterations and additions incorporating remedial works. Matya says: “The reimaging to be done at Cape Town station ahead of the 2010 World Cup would be the first phase and should give a fair idea of what the station could look like for the next 50 years.”

The subsequent phases of refurbishment and revitalisation of the station is planned to continue after 2010. The subsequent phases of refurbishment will investigate the long-term development and expansion of the primary transport exchange centre for the city of Cape Town. Metrorail will replace its entire fleet over 15 years as part of the subsequent phases. Matya says: “The proposal to sink the railway system below ground level between Cape Town, Woodstock and Esplanade stations is still being investigated.”

Intersite, commuter transport operator Metrorail and commuter rail services provider Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), along with other key stakeholders, including local municipality City of Cape Town, community-based organisation Central City Partnership and the provincial government, are involved in the initiative to revitalise the station.

Ariya Projects was appointed as part of a consortium of established project management companies to head a multidisciplinary team on this project. The team includes architects, engineers, town planners, and heritage consul- tants, besides others. The team will be involved in the short- and long-term development projects.

The first phase of the project involves the upgrade of the shops and informal trading areas and the station deck precinct. New features include a transport museum, an art gallery, a travel agency, a bureau de change, an Internet café, a local crafters’ market, convenience stores, restaurants, fast-food outlets, a small conference venue and medical services.

Construction on underground services and basic infrastructure began in 2007, while alterations to the existing station buildings began in September last year. The project aims to change the station into a vibrant public transport centre that will renew confidence in passenger rail and draw people back to public transport. It also aims to change the Cape Town central business district, in the hope that it will be a catalyst for further renewal and investment in the city. “Transport and city development are intrinsically connected,” Matya emphasises.

Cape Town station serves as an interchange for a number of other modes of transport, inclu- ding minibus taxis, long-distance bus services, metered taxis and commuter buses. As a central transport interchange, the station will be the gateway to the city for scores of soccer fans. The new rail link between Cape Town station and Cape Town International Airport will add four to five new train sets and a whole new group of commuters to the service.

Edited by: Laura Tyrer

[B][size="4"]...The new rail link between Cape Town station and Cape Town International Airport will add four to five new train sets and a whole new group of commuters to the service.

Edited by: Laura Tyrer

Remind me again where the city is wrt this project, last time I heard it wasn't a priority for the world cup?

Remind me again where the city is wrt this project, last time I heard it wasn't a priority for the world cup?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=699442

The taxis now has the backing of Zuma.
I would like to see what happens with our long awated BRT system.
I swear if he backs the taxis to the end and scrap BRT then we are most def sliding down the hill back to 3rd world country status.
Let's hope it's just pre-election talk

The taxis now has the backing of Zuma.
I would like to see what happens with our long awated BRT system.
I swear if he backs the taxis to the end and scrap BRT then we are most def sliding down the hill back to 3rd world country status.
Let's hope it's just pre-election talk
Easy answer... it's too late! Financing has already be secured, treasury funds have already been allocated and construction has already begun and is full-steam ahead. Plus, the Cape Town budget has already been finalised and approved for the next year, and the Western Cape and City (post 22nd) are not under ANC control. So, pretty much, Zuma can't do jack about Phase 1 of CT's BRT.

The taxis now has the backing of Zuma.
I would like to see what happens with our long awated BRT system.
I swear if he backs the taxis to the end and scrap BRT then we are most def sliding down the hill back to 3rd world country status.
Let's hope it's just pre-election talk

No, the meeting of the untouchables by law were just busy with verbal diarrhea......

Zuma is just as corrupt as the taxi operators or perhaps they paid him (or paid Shaik - we still all pay his company for driver licenses)

Finally, some pics of the building at the M7/N2 interchange. The City of Cape Town's own transport nerve centre.

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc40/andresannman/100_5339.jpg

Thats the N2 transport centre paid for by the province. The city's nerve centre is in Gooooodwoood.

Bridging Transport Problems

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/04/29/12/51/3453084_795x497.JPG

Cape Town is currently being transformed by a number of transportation projects that are readying the City for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Vela VKE Consulting Engineers’ Cape Town office is playing its part on a number of fronts.

The Structures Division is involved in developing two new pedestrian bridges that will provide safe access from the CBD to the new 68 000-seater stadium being built on Green Point Common. The first of these structures is a 101m long 4m wide structural steel bridge that crosses the busy Buitengracht arterial as it enters the city.

As the bridge is situated in a busy urban environment a simple but bold beam structure was considered appropriate. Because of the limited space for the approach ramps, the vertical rise of the bridge had to be limited and up-stand beams were the only option.

However, the need to provide multiple access points onto the structure meant that an up-stand beam was only possible on one side. A design using a fabricated steel “torsion” box was therefore developed to handle the asymmetrical support condition. The result is a unique deck section.

The design team includes GAPP Architects and the bridge incorporates some unusual features such as LED lighting in the handrails units, lifts for disabled access and a laminated glass weather screen.

The site of the bridge has set the design team some interesting challenges. Working next to two of the city’s biggest hotels has meant that noise disruption must be kept to a minimum. All of the bridge’s concrete and steel components will therefore be fabricated off-site and erected during the hotels’ low season between April and October. One side of the bridge will in fact be founded on one hotel’s underground parking garage. Reducing the weight of the structure wherever possible was therefore critical. For this reason a light steel deck structure was the preferred option.

Construction of this project is scheduled for completion in December 2009. A second pedestrian bridge on the fan mile to the stadium will begin construction in July 2009.

Bridging Transport Problems

http://www.picamatic.com/show/2009/04/29/12/51/3453084_795x497.JPG

Cape Town is currently being transformed by a number of transportation projects that are readying the City for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Vela VKE Consulting Engineers’ Cape Town office is playing its part on a number of fronts.

The Structures Division is involved in developing two new pedestrian bridges that will provide safe access from the CBD to the new 68 000-seater stadium being built on Green Point Common. The first of these structures is a 101m long 4m wide structural steel bridge that crosses the busy Buitengracht arterial as it enters the city.

As the bridge is situated in a busy urban environment a simple but bold beam structure was considered appropriate. Because of the limited space for the approach ramps, the vertical rise of the bridge had to be limited and up-stand beams were the only option.

However, the need to provide multiple access points onto the structure meant that an up-stand beam was only possible on one side. A design using a fabricated steel “torsion” box was therefore developed to handle the asymmetrical support condition. The result is a unique deck section.

The design team includes GAPP Architects and the bridge incorporates some unusual features such as LED lighting in the handrails units, lifts for disabled access and a laminated glass weather screen.

The site of the bridge has set the design team some interesting challenges. Working next to two of the city’s biggest hotels has meant that noise disruption must be kept to a minimum. All of the bridge’s concrete and steel components will therefore be fabricated off-site and erected during the hotels’ low season between April and October. One side of the bridge will in fact be founded on one hotel’s underground parking garage. Reducing the weight of the structure wherever possible was therefore critical. For this reason a light steel deck structure was the preferred option.

Construction of this project is scheduled for completion in December 2009. A second pedestrian bridge on the fan mile to the stadium will begin construction in July 2009.

i'm not so sure of the image that accompanies this article as it shows the unfinished overpassess that makes our city so infamous
also, i'm a bit perplexed about the ramp on that image only spanning one of the two intersections

i walk past the construction every morning and i can report that they have indeed started working on the hotel side and they are busy removing trees, i have an image i'll upload tonight, from what i see on a daily basis this rendition doesn't look anything like what they are doing at the moment with regards to where the foundations are put in.
damn it would be really dissapointing and stupid if that bridge does not span both sides of buitengracht

the over pass is there to guide the height of the bridge, its not suggesting that it would be completed.

you dont need a bridge over the next intersection as cars only head in one direction when pedestrians are crossing, where as at the other side, you have cars speeding into town, cars turning left in to the same lane via the CTICC, carns turning into the lane from the waterfront side, basically traffic in all directions.

Would love to see the images. Remember that the construction of the main elements takes place off site so we won't see the bridge elements before its time for the bridge parts to arrive.

Trees being removed at Southern Sun Hotel side

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wkwn7rcilFw/SfkovtDe6aI/AAAAAAAAAMw/EhvXikyL2GE/s320/Photo-0040.jpg


White cladding now replaces the old stuff that was there
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wkwn7rcilFw/Sfkov6jIFTI/AAAAAAAAANA/VXE_TngAEqc/s320/Photo-0034.jpg

Dodgy ANC deals

Cape's 2010 R90m deal probed

May 08, 2009 Edition 2

NATASHA JOSEPH and RAYMOND JOSEPH

THE Auditor-General is investigating a R90 million contract between an American-owned and operated company and the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works to provide "operational public transport" during the Fifa World Cup in 2010.

The Auditor-General's investigation follows one conducted by the Western Cape Provincial Treasury, which was ordered by former premier Lynne Brown's office when she took over from Ebrahim Rasool in July last year.

The Treasury found that there were "procedural deficiencies" in the department's supply chain management processes, Brown said last night.

The Treasury investigated why the contract, awarded to Games Transportation Systems Services (GTSS), was never put out to tender and also what steps were taken to ensure that there were no South African companies able to deliver the required services.

According to documents in the possession of the Cape Times, the contract was only approved by the head of department, Thami Manyathi, on August 27, 2008, although earlier documents show that the company was contracted by the department to start work in December 2007.

By the time Manyathi signed the contract, R23.7m had already been paid to GTSS.

The contract makes allowance for its total value, R91m, to double on approval by Manyathi. In addition, GTSS was given free office space, telephones, computers and office equipment and supplies, as well as 27 parking spaces for staff.

The Cape Times has established that GTSS is occupying office space owned by the transport and public works department, and attempted to visit these offices yesterday.

A security guard confirmed that GTSS's offices were in the building, but attempts to reach any staff members by phone were unsuccessful.

It has also emerged that Manyathi gave permission for GTSS's services to be engaged using a "limited bidding" system - that is, without the contract being put out to tender - but this permission was only granted eight months after it had already been contracted by his department.

Documents in the Cape Times's possession show that GTSS was appointed as a service provider by the department from December 6, 2007.

Nine months later, on August 27, 2008, Manyathi signed a document titled "Amendment: appointment as service provider: Games Transportation Systems Services".

By then, GTSS had been paid nearly R24m, in terms of a service level agreement completed in January 2008.

According to a document - authored by Richard Hutton, the department's acting project director for the 2010 World Cup on August 20, 2008 and signed by Manyathi a week later - there was "a lack of major international operational event transportation management expertise available locally".

This was given as the reason why GTSS should be awarded the contract without any tender process being implemented.

In a list of questions sent to the department on March 10 this year, the provincial treasury questioned how officials had identified GTSS as the best company for the job, and whether any testing had been done in the South African market to ascertain whether other companies should be in the running.

The Treasury also asked why Manyathi had not signed the contract as soon as GTSS' work started in December 2007, and requested "detail and context on who identified the BEE partner, as well as when it was done".

The Cape Times has been unable to discover who GTSS's BEE partner is, but has established that the company has five directors, four of whom are based in the US and Abdul Shaheed Mohamed, who is South African.

Mohamed is also the CEO of Total Client Services Ltd, formerly known as Labat Traffic Solutions.

Parent company TMS's chief operating officer, Kevin O'Connor, said in an e-mail that "our GTSS contract precludes me from making statements to the press", but promised to put the newspaper in touch with the relevant person.

However, he did not respond to questions about GTSS's black economic empowerment component or how TMS first became involved with the transport and public works department.

In its letter, the Treasury said that it had set up task teams in October last year "to do a complete analysis of the appropriateness, reasonableness and efficacy of expenditure" in several of the department's programmes.

The Treasury also undertook to examine "consultant expenditure" - and GTSS's contract was among those it scrutinised.

In January this year, the Treasury provided an interim report to then-premier Brown "on some preliminary findings". However, some documentation and information from the department was still outstanding, the Treasury said in its letter, and it required this in order to produce a final report.

Brown confirmed last night that she had asked the provincial Treasury "to conduct a preliminary investigation into supply chain management processes followed by the transport and public works department".

"My administration was 100% committed to the principles of fairness, equity and good governance," Brown said.

By last night, Manyathi had not responded to the Cape Times's e-mailed questions and could not be reached.

The DA's spokesman on transport and public works, Robin Carlisle, said yesterday that the GTSS contract was "a matter of huge concern" and questioned why an "open tender process" had not been implemented for the project.

natasha.joseph@inl.co.za

^^ Knew this was coming!!! Remember me saying the first thing I'd do if I were Helen would be to begin the auditing process of tenders, contracts awarded and municipalities.

So, hell-on-earth begins for the Western Cape ANC. :lol:

Some more..

DA to check if ex-MEC went by the book in approving controversial developments

May 08, 2009 Edition 1

Melanie Gosling

THE DA provincial government is to review all recent decisions made by former MEC for Environment Affairs and Development Planning Pierre Uys once his successor has been named, the party's provincial spokesman on environmental affairs, Alan Winde, says. .

Winde said the approvals would be checked to establish that the correct processes had been followed, and if there has been any irregularities, the authorisations would be reviewed.

This follows Uys's approval of several controversial development proposals, including those for the Roodefontein Golf Estate near Plettenberg Bay, Lagoonbay near Great Brak, Erf 2 on the Gordon's Bay mountainside, and Dassenberg above Sun Valley.

Lagoonbay and Erf 2 development applications had been turned down by Uys's officials on several environmental and policy grounds, but Uys set aside these decisions on appeal and gave them the go-ahead.

Uys approved Dassenberg himself, circumventing his officials. The City of Cape Town has said no application has been made to it for the rezoning of the land, which is irregular.

"I've been receiving calls from the public for the past few weeks on a daily basis from all corners of the province about these approvals," Winde said.

"Obviously it's difficult to comment on each case because we don't know the details, but we will have to have a review of all the decisions made over the past few weeks to look at process and to ensure that it was carried out correctly.

"If any process was abused, we would have to take action. Dassenberg is definitely one of the cases in point."

That Uys and not his officials had approved Dassenberg could be problematic, because legally the MEC was the person to whom appeals were directed, Winde said. An MEC who had taken a decision could not also hear the appeals.

"If there had not been a change of government, what would have happened to appeals?"

Winde questioned whether Uys had been put under pressure by the ANC nationally or in the province. He also questioned whether the local authorities had the capacity to manage some of the huge developments Uys had approved.

"The authorities always talk about 'infrastructure-led development', but in reality there is no infrastructure in the municipalities to sustain these big developments. It is a major problem," Winde said.

"I'm all for officials getting well paid if they really do the job properly, but we're seeing officials in places like Knysna getting huge salaries, and they're not doing their jobs. That's just plain wrong."

Uys was not available for comment yesterday. His tenure ended at midnight on Wednesday.

melanie.gosling@inl.co.za

Saw these coaches being used the last couple of days on the Malmesbury train. It comes around my station at 7:03. I had a good chuckle, thinking I was back in the bad old days. I thought these must be at least from the 60's or 70's?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wkwn7rcilFw/SgQpfoCbkdI/AAAAAAAAANY/MDN2kd8nT00/s320/Samsung-0002.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wkwn7rcilFw/SgQpfYx-3OI/AAAAAAAAANQ/yeBddSbP5oA/s320/Samsung-0003.jpg

Also, no lights on in more than half of the carraiges/coaches.
So you have to get on these in the dark(this time of year)...don't forget your headlight torches...:ohno:

Guess it happens with so little rail investment.

Oh my sack...that's embarrassing actually.

old flag colours too.

I'm surprised we're not still using steam engines in SA.

I'm surprised we're not still using steam engines in SA.

Well then you`ll be glad to hear that Transnet this week oficially cancelled the Otiniqua Choo Choo train in along the Garden route. it was not running for some time since damage to the rail route, but its now been rubber stamped and will be no more.

I was SO disappointed when I went to Knysna a few weeks back and heard it was no longer running. I had no idea! It really is so so stupid of them to cancel it. What a bunch of fools.

Well then you`ll be glad to hear that Transnet this week oficially cancelled the Otiniqua Choo Choo train in along the Garden route. it was not running for some time since damage to the rail route, but its now been rubber stamped and will be no more.
Is that the one which runs into Mossel Bay?

Traffic Services confiscate unroadworthy taxis
MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 272/ 2009
08 MAY 2009

City Traffic Services has clamped down on unroadworthy taxis. At a vehicle check point held by Operation Reclaim on 24 April, at the N2 weighbridge, a clearly defective mini bus taxi was found to have a roadworthy certificate issued on 4 April 2009 by an examiner employed at Culemborg Automobile Vehicle Testing Station.

Officers immediately suspended the taxi and had a roadworthy test conducted at the Goodwood Traffic branch. It was found to have defective brakes, excessive play on the steering, smooth tyres, a cracked windscreen; body rust, torn seats and no inside door handles

Supporting documents were forwarded to the Inspectorate of the Department of Transport for investigation and an examiner was suspended with immediate effect on 29 April 2009.

“Cape Town’s commuters should be assured of a safe trip when travelling by public transport, says Merle Lourens, media spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services. “Driving an unsafe or suspended vehicle, such as this taxi, is dangerous and poses a threat to other road users as well.

“For the past two days, special public transport roadblocks were held in Halt Road, Elsies River and on Lansdowne Road, Claremont where two taxis were confiscated. One had passed a roadworthy test at a private testing centre in Johannesburg a month ago, and the other on 5 February at the Universal Roadworthy Station in Hanover Park. Both were found to be mechanically unsound with numerous defects including double ignition systems, body panels welded together, canvas exposed on the tyres, speedometer and lights not working and the passenger door being held together with a piece of rope. The Inspectorate of the Department of Transport is investigating both incidents”, said Lourens.

“At these roadblocks, 27 people were arrested on 130 warrants of arrest to the value of R154 650,” Lourens added.

Cape Town plans easier movement around the inner city and beyond



Cape Town’s new IRT (Integrated Rapid Transit) system is not the only way in which the City aims to improve the way in which we get around.

In addition to developing the high-quality, fast-moving IRT, the City, through its Urban and Spatial Planning Department, is proposing development guidelines that break away from the current radial pattern of movement, which focuses on going to and from the CBD, and create a strong network of cross-city roads, public transport and walking and cycling routes that link homes, work places, shops and social facilities.

This grid-based pattern of movement will make it easy and fast to travel to all parts of the city, not only central Cape Town, and will incorporate new growth areas such as Kraaifontein and Parklands into the movement system.

An integrated grid-based movement system is one of the five key action areas of the City’s draft Spatial Development Framework (SDF), which will guide the spatial form and structure (the way in which we use the space available for urban growth) of Cape Town in the future. It is a long-term plan to manage growth and change, to ensure that we live in a more sustainable, integrated and equitable city.

The SDF also proposes that the city become organised around development corridors, where development (especially shops, work places, social facilities and higher density housing) is located in vibrant ‘development corridors’ that are well served by public transport and by bicycle and pedestrian routes.

How will Cape Town establish and support an integrated, grid-based movement system?

* By promoting and encouraging cycling and walking
* By creating an efficient and safe public transport system
* By locating development on what is known as the ‘accessibility grid’ – in other words along the public transport routes (such as Main Rd, Koeberg Rd and Voortrekker Rd) and development routes (such as Klipfontein Rd and Jan Van Riebeeck / 35th Avenue)
* By facilitating the development of strategic infrastructure, such as the new IRT and station improvements
* By reducing the distance between where people live and work, by supporting development in the metro south-east
* By promoting higher-density developments where appropriate (a “middle path” densification strategy), that aims for an average of 25 dwelling units per hectare. This is the minimum density at which public transport is efficient and sustainable.

For more information about the SDF, please visit www.capetown.gov.za/en/sdf

Hey MO

can you please find out more information regarding Cape Town stations upgrade?

Would love to see how it will look

Thanx

Hey MO

can you please find out more information regarding Cape Town stations upgrade?

Would love to see how it will look

Thanx

Please see Cape Town station thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=441508).

News Coming Shortly

Still under Cape Argus premium content... but FIFA has stated if the government does not sort out the taxi/BRT conflict and the BRT can't get off the ground... all will loose out and FIFA will organise to transport all fans themselves.

Interesting! Want to read more!

Hope FIFA do... then the taxi bosses just cut their noses off to spite their faces.

News Coming Shortly

Still under Cape Argus premium content... but FIFA has stated if the government does not sort out the taxi/BRT conflict and the BRT can't get off the ground... all will loose out and FIFA will organise to transport all fans themselves.

Interesting! Want to read more!

Hope FIFA do... then the taxi bosses just cut their noses off to spite their faces.

Conflict is an issue but construction is underway and stations already complete in JHB.

Fifa's plan B for 2010 fans

May 19 2009 at 03:19PM

By Clayton Barnes and Ella Smook

WORLD football body Fifa says it will transport foreign spectators itself during next year's World Cup if the government does not resolve issues affecting the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) ahead of the tournament.

Taxi bosses have labelled this "disappointing", with some even threatening bloodshed.

And at a lecture in Cape Town on Monday night, Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin said he was "desperately worried" about the future of the BRT system in the Western Cape, and has called on the DA and the opposition in the province and city to set aside their political differences to ensure development and delivery takes place.

Taxi bosses have threatened to make the World Cup ungovernable if the BRT system, which forms part of the bigger integrated rapid transit (IRT) system, is not scrapped.

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele is expected to meet industry players to discuss how to deal with the problem over the next few weeks.

Speaking during a stop-over in Cape Town, Hans Klaus, Fifa's director of communications and public affairs, said the organisation was taking "precautionary measures".

He said spectators could be transported through Match Hospitality, Fifa's partner, if the BRT problems remained unresolved.

"We are aware of the problem with this new transport system and have made it very clear to the government that the issue should be resolved before the World Cup," said Klaus.

"However, we do take measures on our side and, if needs be, we will be transporting spectators during that period."

Klaus added that many of their spectator travel packages, through Match Hospitality, would in any event include transport to and from matches.

"Although we are concerned, we still have time before the World Cup and hope that these issues will be resolved," he said.

But taxi operators are determined to see the BRT system "done away with", despite promises from transport authorities that the new system will work in their favour.

Phillip Taaibosch, chairman of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), said taxi operators still don't know whether the system would be implemented.

He said operators were waiting for a meeting with Ndebele to express their concerns.

"We will only know the way forward after meeting with the minister," said Taaibosch.

He said it would be "absolutely disappointing" should Fifa transport foreign spectators.

Taaibosch added that it was unfortunate that local municipalities were going ahead with the construction of BRT lanes and stations.

Mvuyisile Mente, spokesperson for the Western Cape National Taxi Alliance (NTA), said going ahead with the BRT system in Cape Town "means trouble for the Western Cape".

He said there would be "destruction" if any other operators were found on any of the historic routes during the World Cup.

"There will be blood on our new premier's hands," said Mente.

"We are saying no to BRT until we know that the system is a viable option."

Cronin, explaining his concerns over the BRT system after the Harold Wolpe Memorial Trust's 76th open dialogue at UCT on Monday night, said parties should not allow their differences to undermine the importance of collaborating on delivery.

"We must resist the temptation as the ANC, in our case, of trying to score cheap political points" to the detriment of delivery, he said.

Cronin said threats to render the province ungovernable formed part of his concern, and said that both the ANC and the DA leadership needed to build a co-operative relationship.

Cronin said he and Ndebele would this week meet officials in four cities and thereafter key stakeholders, including the taxi and trade union sectors, regarding the BRT system.

Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato said the city had not yet been given any instructions to continue with negotiations after they were halted by the the national government before the April elections.

If the process is to continue, national government needs to discuss this with the taxi industry, he said.

It would have a huge impact on the 2010 tournament and the transport industry if the process was halted, said Plato.

"The city does not want the taxi industry to hold it hostage." - Additional reporting by Lindsay Dentlinger

For Christ's sake.

It will look so bad for SA if we cant even provide decent public transport for our visitors during the WC. Besides that, this will improve the lives of many South Africans

It's the same mentality that if a Nandos open's in the same suburb as a KFC, the KFC manager threatens to take an AK47 and start shooting at the Nandos and burn the Nandos to the ground with petrol bombs. Even when the Nandos has offered to include the KFC in all their "chicken advertising" and send their clientele over to the KFC for their dinner after they have lunch at Nandos...

These taxi bosses are terrorists and should be wiped off the face of the earth like terrorists.

On the one hand i understand the real fear the taxi owners/operaters/drivers have in that they will loose jobs and income to a degree(a big degree)
On the other hand I too want to shout "bloody taxi terrorists"
This situation is not unique though, there are plenty of examples through our wonderfull land were people don't agree and then behave really badly
The country suffers from one common problem and that is the lack of good moral fibre
To solve these issues now is like trying to prevent a terminal disease after it's already spread through the entire body
While it is possible to resolve conflicts of this nature remember that it won't be easy, it will be expensive and is anyone "back at the ranch" looking at building good moral fibre into our communities in order to prevent the repetition and escalation of this behaviour?
In short: No
Whose responsibility is it? Not the goverment, not organisations, not the church, not the schools. It should be the individuals who walks around proclaiming they/we are a proud nation and shouting ubuntu and amandla, etc, etc, etc.
There is no pride, there is no ubuntu there is no freedom.

Ok, i'm done now.

My question is ... how can a government allow itself to be dictated to by mafia style taxi bosses, who pay no taxes ... also do they not realise that with the implementation of the BRT, there will be more jobs on offer, drivers, conductors, admin, etc these new jobs will be better for them as they will probably be getting job security, benefits, etc .....

The taxi bosses can go to hell, because their so-called public transport service is just that. AS IF anyone would want to step foot in their moving pieces of trash. I'd rather walk. I really would.

It's a pity that most who use the service have no other choice.

Guys, relax.
Another 'Plan B' panic report, I am sure they will go on until the tournament is finished, ala 'FIFA to backdate plans B,C and L, reverse all results, and re-hold the tournament in Canada'.
This will be resolved like all the other problems associated with hosting an event this size.

I think S'bu Ndebele should give all the VIP's a ride in his new merc. That'd solve some problems.

He gave it away.

xxxxxxxxxxx

LMAO.

Walked on the new tiled section at Cape Town station. It is very very nice indeed, very shiny, very nice, very big, very slippery....yes folks I had to keep my balance twice in 20 meters.

I really hope they'll use that non slip chemical treatment.
Anyway, I should really upload my pics...

Walked on the new tiled section at Cape Town station. It is very very nice indeed, very shiny, very nice, very big, very slippery....yes folks I had to keep my balance twice in 20 meters.

I really hope they'll use that non slip chemical treatment.
Anyway, I should really upload my pics...
Slippery on a day like this....Early mornings in the rain should be interesting....especially when hundreds of people are trying to get to work on time.
please do upload your pictures

Slippery on a day like this....Early mornings in the rain should be interesting....especially when hundreds of people are trying to get to work on time.
please do upload your pictures

I have to add, I think the slipping was due to dust from the tile cutting happening next to the walking area...so dust and water is a no no

Public Transport Investments: June 2009



Category 1: Rail system (incl. Park & Ride)

1.1 Rail Based Park & Ride Facilities
R 50.6 million



551Q/2008/09 TRANSPORT, ROADS & STORMWATER 19 June 2009 Upgrade Of Existing Park And Ride Facilities At Ottery And Retreat Rail Stations. (this Tender Document Is Not Available On The Cct Website.) (http://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/newcitytenders/Tenderer_Info.asp?id=2187)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 550Q/2008/09 TRANSPORT, ROADS & STORMWATER 19 June 2009 Upgrading Of Existing Park And Ride Facilities At Brackenfell And Kraaifontein Rail Stations. (this Tender Document Is Not Available On The Cct Website.) (http://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/newcitytenders/Tenderer_Info.asp?id=2186)


1.2 Rail Rolling Stock Upgrade
R1200 million

Category 2: Strategic Public Transport Corridors

2.1 Klipfontein Corridor
R286 million
STATUS: N/A

2.4 Symphony Way Corridor: Dualling from N2 to M12 including new bridge over N2
R52 million
STATUS: Under construction

2.5 Public Transport & Bus Infrastructure Upgrades on PT Corridors
R40 million
STATUS: N/A

2.6 Public Transport & Bus Upgrades on Corridors
R62.8 million

3.4 Hospital Bend Pre-Selection Scheme
R234.6 million
STATUS: On schedule, December 2009

3.5 IRT system
(Airport City Link, Stadium City Link, Table View City Link, Inner City System)
R1450 million
STATUS: On schedule, March 2010


3.6 R300 Upgrade
R525 million
STATUS: N/A

3.7 Airport City Link: BMT Lanes (Vanguard Drive to Borched's Quarry)
R200 million
STATUS: Under construction

3.8 Rehabilitation of Table Bay Boulevard
R110 million
STATUS: Under construction

Category 4: Long Distance Transport facilities


4.1.2 Cape Town Long Distance Coach Terminal
R35 million
STATUS: Under construction

Category 5: Non Motorised Transport infrastructure to support the operational plan

5.1 NMT Bridge Bhunga Avenue to Bridgetown
R 22 million
STATUS: Under construction


Category 6: Intelligent Transport Systems

STATUS: N/A
6.2 Integrated Fare Management System
R 100 million

Category 7: Stadium Precinct & CBD link Infrastructure

7.1 Local Road Improvements
R40.53 million
STATUS: Under construction


7.2 Bus Shuttle Embayment's (Including Signage)
R20.5 million
STATUS: Under construction


7.3 NMT network

7.3.1 Grade Separation Western Boulevard
R 53.4 million
STATUS: Under construction


7.3.2 Precinct Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements
R10 million
STATUS: Under construction


7.3.3 Somerset Road Pedestrian Improvements from Green Point Stadium to City Centre (CT Rail Station)
R 75 million
STATUS: Under construction by August 2009

7.3.4 Grade Separated Pedestrian Crossing: Buitengraght
R 32 million
STATUS: Under construction

7.3.5 City Centre Pedestrian Improvement
R 28 million
STATUS: Under construction

7.4 Informal Parking for FIFA Family at Greenpoint Stadium 3000 vehicles
R 30 million
STATUS: N/A

7.5 Inner City Transport System: Support Infrastructure
R 20 million

7.6 Granger Bay Boulevard
R21 million
STATUS: Under construction

Category 10: Other Projects not requiring PTIF funding

10.1 Upgrade Koeberg Interchange N1/M5 directional ramps & related infrastructure
R 705 million
STATUS: Under construction

[B]
Category 11: Additional Projects

11.2 Philippi Station Upgrade
R 65 million
STATUS: Under construction

11.3 Windermere Station and access road
R 45 million
STATUS: Completion June 2010

11.4 Athlone Station
[B]R5 million
STATUS: N/A

11.5 Langa Station
R67.5 million
STATUS: Under construction

11.6 Heideveld Station
R 18 million
STATUS: N/A

Category 12: Air based Transport Investments

12.1 Cape Town International Airport Upgrade (ACSA)
R2200 million
STATUS: November 2009 completion

Khayelitsha Express

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8o_v2AXjbEU/SUWReC5GSDI/AAAAAAAAAF4/e_VffAvmeLU/s1600/P1050780.JPGhttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8o_v2AXjbEU/SUWZ9aKNMsI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/7G-URFO9IpA/s1600/IMG_0185.JPGhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8o_v2AXjbEU/SUWQEnRDwbI/AAAAAAAAAFg/ntK1lD9eb_k/s1600/P1050732.JPG

I have to add, I think the slipping was due to dust from the tile cutting happening next to the walking area...so dust and water is a no no
I guess that could have contributed, but the water alone is asking for trouble

*Taken about a Month Back
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3639517072_5c561434a1.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3638706361_f1a6275862.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3639518652_e6cf1427a3.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3638704989_617b860993.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3639512618_7b45f02f9a.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3638701583_2ea948f62c.jpg?v=0

Northern Express on Simon's Town Line

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8o_v2AXjbEU/SkKDyCtrmXI/AAAAAAAAAwY/0xvlCpNx1_4/s1600/2009_0624_130753.JPGhttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8o_v2AXjbEU/SkKDyIDZWWI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/eElI4wmv-Zg/s1600/2009_0624_131106.JPGhttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8o_v2AXjbEU/SkKDxxWbsQI/AAAAAAAAAwI/iky3_I-lEb8/s1600/2009_0624_130748.JPGhttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8o_v2AXjbEU/SkKDxkbIqZI/AAAAAAAAAwA/_wlJvYAnFUE/s1600/2009_0624_131118.JPG

Who are the people behind the Golden Arrow bus company? I would love to know who they are so that we can name and shame those bastards. Why does Cape Town have these shity old "shake, rattle and roll" buses and other cities in South Africa have had stunning buses for so many years already. Durban had really good buses already in the early 80's while Capetonians developed strong neck muscles to counter the effects of wip-lash thanks to the public bus service. We should start suing golden arrow for years of bodily harm and neck trauma's - hmmmm ....

Who are the people behind the Golden Arrow bus company? I would love to know who they are so that we can name and shame those bastards. Why does Cape Town have these shity old "shake, rattle and roll" buses and other cities in South Africa have had stunning buses for so many years already. Durban had really good buses already in the early 80's while Capetonians developed strong neck muscles to counter the effects of wip-lash thanks to the public bus service. We should start suing golden arrow for years of bodily harm and neck trauma's - hmmmm ....

really? In some cities they are nicer but certainly not stunning!

really? In some cities they are nicer but certainly not stunning!

They were for that time ... luxury like we never knew in the cape and to be honest if we took those old buses from Durban and put them in Cape Town today ... they would be regarded as objects of love by the commuters. I may now ride around in a daimler, but I used to travel on the buses and in the over crowded taxis.

Cape Town buses are so bad.

^^ Putco in Jozi acquired new and nicer busses. Honetly GA has got the ugliest busses I have ever seen in SA.

Honetly GA has got the ugliest busses I have ever seen in SA.

Thats because they so old!

They don't want to spend money on new buses when they can wring out all the profit they can from the shitboxes.

We should name and shame who ever runs that place, like what they doing in Sea Point with slum lords. If anyone can give me names or addresses please pm me. I will keep it out of this forum and after I have my people check if the info we get is kosher (yes, I got people - LOL) ... I want to go after those puppies. They sluming up our city while others are doing their best to make it a great place ... like Gulivar says ... those shitboxes (the perfect name for em) .... are being used by those slumlords to milk every cent they can out of it. I want to name and shame them for the scum they are and embarress them in public.

chill....

Buses to be inspected in crackdown by province



By Anél Powell

ALL BUSES arriving in or leaving the Western Cape will be forced to undergo an extensive inspection, including for on-the-spot roadworthiness and licence verification, as part of a provincial crackdown on unsafe public transport.

Transport MEC Robin Carlisle said the blitz, which is planned for two weeks starting on July 20, was a "direct response" to the accident in Beaufort West where a SA Roadlink bus overturned, killing eight people and injuring 30.

"If buses are problematic, with drivers on impossible schedules or tyres that are smooth, we will need to carry on with this. If SA Roadlink or any other bus service is operating without a proper licence or bringing unroadworthy vehicles in, we will stop them."

These buses would be "immediately" impounded.

Community Safety MEC Lennit Max said the safety of road-users was "non-negotiable".

Carlisle said his department was also looking at SA Roadlink's operating licence, in light of the spate of serious accidents.

But the law was changing and soon the operator, rather than specific buses, would be licensed. Criminal and civil liability for any accidents would lie with the bus operator or fleet owners.

The bus blitz will be done in partnership between the provincial government and the City of Cape Town, as the province's largest municipality.

Long-distance buses will be inspected at the city's depot before they leave Cape Town. Buses found to be compliant will be given display stickers so that the same tests will not be repeated at Beaufort West.

Carlisle said the results would be analysed after two weeks to identify any serious trends in transgressions. Bus companies would be alerted to the blitz, but Max
said the province did not “need the permission” of bus companies to enforce the law.

“We will not tolerate any unlawful buses and behaviour
on the roads,” said Max. City mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said the city’s new road haulage unit, that targets heavy vehicles and buses, would work with the province.

The unit had issued 872 traffic fines and 242 suspension
notices to have defects repaired within 14 days in the last quarter. Between January and April, the unit suspended 20 long-distance buses for being unroadworthy. “Enough is enough. If it means SA Roadlink or any other bus company must get off the road, then it must.

Profit cannot be the ultimate objective that replaces safety.” Max said the probe by the Road Traffic Management Corporation was almost complete, while the SAPS was investigating the Beaufort West crash.
SA Roadlink could not be reached for comment. The
Cape Times has been trying since Monday to get the company to respond to questions about the accident.

anel.lewis@inl.co.za

Published on the web by Cape Times on July 15, 2009.

Public Transport Investments: June 2009



Category 1: Rail system (incl. Park & Ride)

1.1 Rail Based Park & Ride Facilities
R 50.6 million



The City of Cape Town’s Travel Demand Management (TDM) team has identified 11 rail stations at which park-and-ride facilities will be upgraded and extended in time for 2010, but also to meet the needs of the
growing numbers of rail commuters beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
The second phase, towards the end of 2009, will include the design, construction and establishment of the management structures at the stations according to the available budget.

The 11 stations are:
• Kuils River
• Brackenfell
• Kraaifontein
• Eerste River
• Monte Vista
• Retreat
• Fish Hoek
• Muizenberg
• Plumstead
• Ottery
• Lansdowne

What is this >> Grade Separation Western Boulevard >> whats a grade separation ?

Grade separation refers to separating traffic on freeways so that at junctions, the traffic does not cross each other through the use of over-pass bridges
etc. Its just a fancy word of describing over or under passes that is typical in freeways to separate traffic on intersections etc.

The family and I took the plunge and booked ourselves and our car on the Shosholoza Meyl Tourist Class from Cape Town to JHB.The only good thing was the experience of a long train journey as we could only sit or lie down and relax as a family and enjoy the scenes passing our cabin windows.What was bad then? THe fact that the train was delayed just outside Paarl at Dal Josafat station for 3 hours. This meant that we missed the best part of the scenic route...very disappointed in that was the one reason we decided to take the train.That wasn't the worst of it though as the rest of the experience nothing to get excited about.The service was poor, with a forced smile here there and everywhere. One staff member even had his girlfriend on the train and spent more time looking after her than doing his job.The journey takes a very very long time as it is at 27 hours. Imagine having to deal with bad service plus an additional few hours delayed.The bedding was also extremely old and i cringed getting in to it. Luckily we took along some of our own sheets.All in all a not too good experience. I cannot recommend it and I am also reluctant to upgrade to Premier Class as it would be the same bad service in old coaches for more.

http://www.virtuefoundation.org/cms/upload/bilder/SquarePhotos/harvard_club1.jpg
hmmm ... why don't they introduce double decker trains in Cape Town. They should make an upper class. Expensive and exclusive (like a private club) ... air conditioning, leather seats, free internet, enterainment and host or hostess ... every station should have a staffed waiting room and we should be treated like royalty. Free coffee and tea - and if you want to make use of this service on every train ... you can't purchase a onetime ticket. You have to purchase a year membership that most South Africans will not be able to afford ... we will want top security, pampering and a limo service to arrive at the special entrance of each station and to leave ... well, if you know how expensive our shoes are ... you would not walk on them either and you can't dream that the rich classes rub shoulders or breath the same air as the working classes?!? No, no we will have none of that. Private, exclusive entrance and exit's no contact with the poor ... we can't worry about having our expensive bling stolen.

http://www.virtuefoundation.org/cms/upload/bilder/SquarePhotos/harvard_club1.jpg
hmmm ... why don't they introduce double decker trains in Cape Town. They should make an upper class. Expensive and exclusive (like a private club) ... air conditioning, leather seats, free internet, enterainment and host or hostess ... every station should have a staffed waiting room and we should be treated like royalty. Free coffee and tea - and if you want to make use of this service on every train ... you can't purchase a onetime ticket. You have to purchase a year membership that most South Africans will not be able to afford ... we will want top security, pampering and a limo service to arrive at the special entrance of each station and to leave ... well, if you know how expensive our shoes are ... you would not walk on them either and you can't dream that the rich classes rub shoulders or breath the same air as the working classes?!? No, no we will have none of that. Private, exclusive entrance and exit's no contact with the poor ... we can't worry about having our expensive bling stolen.

well business express is our version of that. coffee, newspaper, internet connection.

hahahahaah golden arrow

Golden Arrow delays launch of 2010 buses (http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5094031)

2009-07-22 11:00:01 Edition 1
GOLDEN Arrow has postponed the unveiling of 25 new European-style buses, earmarked for the World Cup, pending the outcome of negotiations with the province's Transport and Public Works Department

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Goldenarrow2.jpg
They can't do anything right can they? The bus for us?!?

hahahahaah golden arrow

Golden Arrow delays launch of 2010 buses (http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5094031)

2009-07-22 11:00:01 Edition 1
GOLDEN Arrow has postponed the unveiling of 25 new European-style buses, earmarked for the World Cup, pending the outcome of negotiations with the province's Transport and Public Works Department
Who they hell do they think they are?
I have noticed much more of their buses on the roads/ New routes

That company should be liquidated.

When are they going to start with the BRT main station, wasn't it reported to have started around July somewhere?
I walk past the area every morning but have not seen anything happening there.
I don't the walk to the Waterfront(mainly because I refuse to use Golden Arrow) but I just can't wait for the new buses to serve the inner city limits.
I fear I'll be too old by the time this city has a proper public transport system.

When are they going to start with the BRT main station, wasn't it reported to have started around July somewhere?
I walk past the area every morning but have not seen anything happening there.
I don't the walk to the Waterfront(mainly because I refuse to use Golden Arrow) but I just can't wait for the new buses to serve the inner city limits.
I fear I'll be too old by the time this city has a proper public transport system.

You mean at Hertzog? I thought I saw some works.

The problem is that with government providing funding so late, designs of some stations are still being finalized. If they build the stations at at the pace of other structures it should be done quite quickly.

I know the airport station will take 3 months after the concrete base is complete.

You mean at Hertzog?

Mmmm, wait yes, now I remember the road has been narrowed there last time drove in from the high way
Walking accross Heerengracht I've not noticed it really.

The City of Cape Town’s Travel Demand Management (TDM) team has identified 11 rail stations at which park-and-ride facilities will be upgraded and extended in time for 2010, but also to meet the needs of the
growing numbers of rail commuters beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
The second phase, towards the end of 2009, will include the design, construction and establishment of the management structures at the stations according to the available budget.

The 11 stations are:
• Kuils River
• Monte Vista


Contracts awarded to Baseline Civil Contractors. R11.3 million

Hi Mo, could you please find out if there are any plans of integration (Uni-ticket system) where one would be able to make use of rail and bus transport with only one ticket?

Just a thought - to let trian and bus systems run through the night on weekends would meen a lot for the night life in CT. (As in so many other European cities) Safety would ba a concern but a oppertunity for creating jobs and I suppose masses could also have a public policing effect?!)

Category 6: Intelligent Transport Systems

STATUS: N/A
6.2 Integrated Fare Management System
R 100 million



No details as of yet.

Guys, when will construction of Airport city rail link start? If I remember well, it will be operational by the beggining of 2011 right?

I doubt it will be operational by 2011, maybe they will start construction with it then.

City blitz sees 11 taxi drivers arrested, vehicles impounded

August 03, 2009 Edition 2
LYNDON KHAN
ELEVEN drivers of "cockroach" taxis were arrested in a traffic blitz in Nyanga, while some had their vehicles, which had holes in floorboards and doors falling apart, impounded.



City Traffic spokeswoman Merle Lourens said yesterday that the drivers were arrested in an operation carried out early on Friday morning to clamp down on unlicensed taxi operators.
Residents have dubbed the unmarked cars amaphela or cockroaches because they should have been taken off the roads a long time ago and always reappeared despite crackdowns.



Lourens said it was concerning that in a three-hour blitz the city had found so many illegal operators, unlicensed drivers and taxis with major flaws such as defective brakes and smooth tyres.



Traffic authorities were concerned about the number of unroadworthy sedan taxis, as driving an unsafe vehicle posed "a real danger" to passengers and other road users, said Lourens.




National Taxi Alliance provincial spokesman Mvuyisi Mente said it was "working hard to update" the amaphela taxis.



He denied that any of its vehicles were not registered.
Mente said that plans were being discussed to replace unroadworthy vehicles with new six-seater Toyota Avanzas and noted that the condition of taxis was "improving".
lyndon.khan@inl.co.za

PARK-AND-RIDE SERVICE


The City of Cape Town recognizes that Rustenburg and Johannesburg experienced serious transport delays outside the stadia during the Confederations Cup. These delays were apparently caused by heavy congestion at the park-and-ride facilities and confusion over which bus to catch.


Cape Town’s approach will be different. After matches, spectators who wish to use the service will all catch shuttle buses outside the stadium to the main transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard, from where they can choose their own mode of transport to their destination. Alternatively, they can walk safely along the 2,5 km Fan Walk linking the CBD and the stadium.


Fans who wish to use the Fan Walk or the park-and ride facilities can make use of the 35 000 parking bays available in the CBD and 6 000 bays at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Depending on demand, limited parking will also be made available in certain other specified areas of the city.


Planners estimate that about 20 000 people will use the shuttle from the CBD to the stadium and about the same number will opt for the Fan Walk. The remaining 28 000 spectators will either be driven directly to the stadium in coaches as part of Special Travel Groups or walk from the V&A Waterfront.


The challenge is how to deal with a sudden surge of thousands of people emerging from the stadium at once. Cape Town’s transport planners are confident that valuable lessons have been learned and that the city’s transport system will run
smoothly.

I fail to see how our city fathers can be so confident about a transport plan that has yet to materialise. There is not one bus, busway, driver, nothing. All they are doing is hope.

I fail to see how our city fathers can be so confident about a transport plan that has yet to materialise. There is not one bus, busway, driver, nothing. All they are doing is hope.

because R800 million in tenders have already been awarded.

This map indicates the

1. Proposed Park and Ride (Bus Shuttle) sites - DARK BLUE
2. Proposed Park and Ride (Rail) sites - TURQUOISE

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/3791835617_acc3163a79_o.jpg

I like the Park and Ride (Row?) (Rail) site (top left) in the middle of the sea.

I like the Park and Ride (Row?) (Rail) site (top left) in the middle of the sea.

hahah. woops.

Mr K J Minnie (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether Metrorail has any special trains of coaches set aside for the special use of tourists or local visitors on the Cape Town-Simonstown route (a) during peak tourist season and (b) for the Fifa World Cup Soccer Tournament in 2010; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether, in light of the scenic beauty of the route, regard is given to the wind visibility, opening and seating configuration to facilitate the use of cameras and video recorders; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether special security will be provided for this service such as inspectors and railway police officers to avoid fare evaders, criminal activity and general unruly behaviour of passengers who could gain access to these trains if not checked; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?


REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) (a) and (b)

Metrorail Western Cape has several tourist initiatives. With the City of Cape Town a hop-on-hop-off tourist pass is offered on the Simonstown line. This links tourists with local tourist attractions in the vicinity of the stations on the southern line.

This initiative will be expanded on to prepare the normal Metrorail service for recreational travel and tourists in 2010. Currently the southern line is very popular amongst visiting tourists. In addition, a small company offers secure off-peak coaches with the services of a tourist guide. Security has improved to the extent that off-peak patronage has improved significantly on the line. The provision of trains to big events will also be expanded upon, most notably the Vodacom Challenge Cup will be supported by rail again this year as pre-cursor and preparation for 2010.


(2) The design specifications of the coach windows are primarily for safety aspect. The asset life cycle is five (5) years and for the duration of this period the visibility is reasonable. The windows operate with a sliding mechanism and windows can open about 20 cm. The hop-on-hop-off tourist pass initiative allows tourists to visit stations to take footage with camera’s or video recorders.

(3) Dayshift static security is deployed at most stations on the region, including the Simonstownline. Metrorail has 400 South African Railway Police (SARPS) members deployed in the Western Cape region. Customer service teams, together with contract security, are deployed randomly on trains. Since the introduction of the SARPS crime has come down by 40%. Four contact points have also been built in the last four (4) years, namely at the Cape Town, Retreat, Philippi and Bellville Stations.

We have high speed trains :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/3797544693_443fcd0092_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/buddyicons/14181575@N03.jpg?1236337227#14181575@N03 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_maarschalk/) Uploaded on August 7, 2009 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_maarschalk/archives/date-posted/2009/08/07/)
by - Just John - (http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_maarschalk/)

They look better blurred :( lol

Trams in CT

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c4RADJRjGMs/SnzW7t1kc1I/AAAAAAAAAH0/k0D5FuuoLS8/s1600/07082009178.jpg

We REALLY need bridges across Voortrekker Road for pedestrians wanting to use the various train stations!! Its like a death wish watching people try and cross the road

How about a R35 million bridge?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3817646174_f61865fdf6_b.jpg

very neat map. much better than the old one.

pardon my intrusion but isn't this the new map?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wkwn7rcilFw/SoTr0LEwEnI/AAAAAAAAARI/I9zCAb_XGOs/s400/capemetro.JPG

Review of the Five-year Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) 2006 - 2011)


Invitation to submit comments on the ITP
The City of Cape Town’s Transport Department is in the process of reviewing and updating its Integrated Transport Plan.
The main chapters of the updated plan are:


Transport vision and overall objectives
Transport register - essentially a status quo report of the entire transport system
Transport strategic informants - those external factors that must be considered in transportation planning, including legal and policy frameworks, demographics, economic development, strategic environmental assessment, institutional structures etc,
Transport needs assessment - a number of issues requiring attention in order to improve the transport system
Strategies, both overarching and sectoral - strategies for achieving the transport vision and overall objectives
Action plans and implementation programmes - a schedule of specific interventions for meeting the stated needs through the given strategies
Funding framework - a look at the mechanisms for funding the action plans and omplementation programmes

As part of the public participation programme, the City has placed advertisements in local newspapers encouraging people to submit comments. Information desks will be set up at the following venues to further encourage the submission of comments.

DATE
VENUE
TIME
29 August 2009
Canal Walk, Century City
9:00 – 11:00
5 September 2009
Fairbridge Mall, Brackenfell
9:00 – 11:00
12 September 2009
Vangate Mall, Athlone
9:00 – 11:00
12 September 2009
Kenilworth Centre, Kenilworth
1:00 – 3:00
19 September 2009
Mitchells Plain Promenade, Mitchells Plain
9:00 – 11:00
26 September 2009
Somerset Mall, Somerset West
9:00 – 11:00
Copies of the updated ITP are available at all subcouncil offices (http://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/newcitycouncil/councilsearch.asp?choice=3)and public libraries. Alternatively, please click on the links below to view/download the document.
http://www.capetown.gov.za/_layouts/IMAGES/pdficon_small.gif Integrated Transport Plan for the City of Cape Town 2006 To 2011 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ITP/Documents/ITP_executive_Summary_17_July_2009-Printing_Version_s.pdf) (PDF, 5.8mb)
http://www.capetown.gov.za/_layouts/IMAGES/pdficon_small.gif Executive Summary : ITP for the City of Cape Town 2006 To 2011 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ITP/Documents/ITP_Draft_Revised_on_27-05-09-Final_s.pdf) (PDF, 1.2mb)

We strongly encourage you to review the updated ITP and provide us with your comment by Monday, 28 September 2009.
Please submit your written comments:
By post to: ITP Public Participation Office, P.O. Box 494, Cape Town, 8000

Fax: 021 424 5588
By e-mail to: Lindiwe.Gaika@af.aurecongroup.com or Tamara.North@af.aurecongroup.com
There seems to be some confusion among interested parties as to the relationship between the Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) and the Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system being implemented in Cape Town. The differences are:


The Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) is a strategic, five year plan for managing and developing Cape Town’s transport system. It is a statutory document required in terms of the National Land Transport Transition Act (No. 22 of 2000) and must be updated annually. The current process also aligns with the National Land Transport Act (No. 5 of 2009) while awaiting its implementation.

The Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system is a national initiative aimed at the transformation and restructuring of Public transport. This system seeks to ensure safe, efficient and effective public transport. It is envisaged that the Cape Town IRT will be implemented in 4 Phases over the next 10 – 12 years, aiming at providing transport for 75% of the population.

Long Distance Bus Terminal

As opposed to buses piling up on Adderley Street causing chaos.
I love the way they have made use of the bridge connecting the station to the Civic Centre, and have added some "skylights" and new staircases.

It actually looks like there will be some seating inside this "terminal" as proper check in and waiting area.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/3861709514_16c260aa25_b.jpg

Get ready for the mother of all updates on 10 July 2009 on the status of transport projects.

No pics, just updates on progress. All info from City of Cape Town.

Update: 10 July 2009

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3877376297_17037e9449_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3877376641_b89308b49e_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3878170536_1143f3849d_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3878171064_7d309de14a_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3878171552_01cfa22979_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3877378457_8cb16f95de_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3878172476_34e7f5852a_o.jpg

Spotted the new GA low style european bus driving around
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu332/RSApoephol/01092009090.jpg

I actually like that bus

i saw that too but thought it was probably only one or two of them.

why dont they just get the basics right!!! better bus stops, timetables! security and reliability!

Like i said sometime back, ive noticed much more buses on the roads, even later at night; maybe golden arrow has decided to get with the program instead of striking like the taxis

That bus does look pretty decent. But yeah many of the stops need to be replaced and they all need proper timetables.

Oh wow...a GA bus that doesn't look like something the cat dragged in. Amazing.

i saw that too but thought it was probably only one or two of them.

why dont they just get the basics right!!! better bus stops, timetables! security and reliability!

acquisition of those new buses is one step to the right direction. I think the city need to acknowledge the good they have done and then advice them on creating time tab;es and so forth. We facing the same scenario with Metro bus and Putco here in Jozi.

nice bus there GA... are ppl actualy using the back door to get off and the front to get on ? :)

As far as i`m aware those are the busses meant for the cbd, the one i took a photo of was just going between depots, as you can see it doesnt even have a number plate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/3900310756_6313762239_b.jpg

Spotted the new GA low style european bus driving around cool new bus.jpg[/IMG]

I think that's the exact same bus that Algoa Bus is using in PE (except for branding of course). You can see the new bus in PE here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=944768).

Rickshaw funding secured as stated below

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3878171552_01cfa22979_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3906752068_cfe54cede7_b.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3906751344_c25a006995_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/buddyicons/39997884@N03.jpg?1246525853#39997884@N03 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39997884@N03/) Uploaded on September 10, 2009 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39997884@N03/archives/date-posted/2009/09/10/)
by Berylmd (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39997884@N03/)

Rikkis!! ahh good memories

Whats going on....
Construction News
PHASE 1 (November)
CTB, Departures only.

PHASE 2 (November- May)
CTB, Both Arrivals and Departures
Current arrivals will be change to a baggage hall
The old terminal will connect via a corridor to the CTB (currently being built)

May

Arrivals in the new CTB


Transport
-Air Passenger bridges


not all complete
+/- 3 have been built (international section)
Delay due to the "tent" (right)
90% of air traffic will use the bridges
10% will be transfered by bus

-Bus

Another bus station has been set up


Railway Link
Should the project receive the go ahead by the CCT, provision has been made by the new Transport Plaza.


Other
The "tent" will be taken down in November, and construction of more bridges will commence.
2015, expansion continues East, with provision for larger airbuses, and the runway to be realigned

Demolishen of some of the current departure terminal to begin after the World Cup

irt
The City’s IRT system is on a roll

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/PublishingImages/News%20Images/bus_s.jpg
Work on the first phase of the Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) system is underway. One route will connect the airport to the city centre, the stadium and Sea Point, and the other will go up the West Coast to Table View and Atlantis.

The City is rolling out the IRT System, a public transport system that will offer safe, reliable, fast and scheduled transport services around the city.

The IRT system will have trunk and feeder routes. The trunk services will make use of large articulated vehicles, that can carry up to 120 people, operating mostly in their own dedicated – red pigmented - lanes.

The feeder services will operate using vehicles that carry up to 50 people, operating in the same lanes as regular traffic. The IRT vehicles will only stop at the stations, and will not pick up passengers along the road at any point other than at a station.

Pre-paid travel

Passengers using the IRT system will pay using a pre-paid IRT travel cards. Commuters will be able to buy ‘travel time’ at stations, shops and other outlets, which can be loaded onto the card, similar to prepaid ‘talk time’.

To enter an IRT station, passengers will swipe the card at the gate of the station, the system will establish whether there is enough credit on the card and if so, the gate will open accordingly.

Only travel cards can be used as payment on the IRT, no cash will change hands on the vehicles, which makes boarding faster and simpler. At the end of the trip, commuters must swipe their cards again to exit the station. The card reader at the gate will determine the distance travelled and deduct the cost of the journey from the balance on the card.

The IRT stations will have electronic display boards that will tell commuters how long it will take until the next IRT vehicle arrives at the station.

As soon as the IRT vehicle arrives, commuters will get onto the IRT vehicle and it will
leave the station. The IRT vehicle will not wait until it is full before it leaves.

The glass doors of the IRT trunk stations will be aligned with the doors of the vehicles. As the vehicle pulls onto the station the vehicle doors will automatically open at the same time as the station doors. The station’s floor height and the vehicle’s floor height will be the same, providing easy access for prams, bicycles and wheelchairs.

Construction

Work on the dedicated roadways and IRT stations for the first phase is well underway.

Construction can be seen along the R27 between Bayside Centre in Table View and Milner Road in Milnerton, the red pigmented IRT lanes can also be seen along this route. Construction on the old railway siding in Paarden Eiland is underway as well as construction of the Civic Station, the main IRT terminus in the City, situated underneath the Civic Centre in Hertzog Boulevard.

By May 2010, in time for the Soccer World Cup event and forming part of the World Cup Transport Plan there will be a trunk services between the Airport, the CBD and the Stadium. There will be an Inner City Feeder Service, around the City Bowl, the CBD, Green Point and Sea Point with links to Camps Bay and Hout Bay. A match day shuttle service between the CBD and the Stadium Station will move spectators to and from the match, and there will be depot facilities for the IRT vehicles within the Inner City.

After the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the IRT trunk service between the Airport and the CBD and the Inner City Feeder Service will be implemented permanently. A Trunk route between the Atlantis, the CBD and Granger Bay will also be implemented as well as a trunk service between the CBD and Table View (as far as Bayside Centre).

The City is negotiating with National Government for additional funding to implement feeder services in the Atlantis and Table View area as well as a trunk route from Bayside along Blaauwberg Road linking Du Noon and Doornbach onto the IRT system.

The route from the CBD to Atlantis will leave from the main terminus on Hertzog Boulevard, underneath the Civic Centre, called Civic Station. From there, the IRT lanes will travel through the Culemborg site, following old railway lines, which have been converted to IRT lanes, under the N1 and through Paarden Eiland. The IRT lanes will turn left into Milner Road, and then right onto the R27 (near the Milnerton Informal Market), passing the lagoon and Sunset beach and onto Bayside Centre.

In two small sections between Boundary Road and Woodbridge Island, and along the Milnerton Lagoon, there is not enough room for IRT bus lanes in both directions. For this reason there will only be an IRT bus lane South bound, towards the City. At Bayside Centre the dedicated lanes will stop, but the service will continue all the way to Atlantis, this is due to traffic congestion on that section not yet warranting dedicated lanes.

Once operational the IRT will provide Capetonians and visitors with a top quality, safe and reliable public transport service, that is focused on the customer.

New signage may help ease Cape Town’s traffic woes


By: Leandi Cameron
11th September 2009

All major Cape Town highways will soon be fitted with electronic signage boards to ease traffic congestion by alerting motorists to slowdowns and accident scenes, while also suggesting alternative routes.

Cape Town-based companies Sport & Traffic Technologies (SATT) and Metacom recently won the tender to provide the communications infrastructure to support the network of electronic signboards, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Accurate Information

“Giving motorists accurate information about traffic conditions can help ease congestion,” says SATT MD Frank Mac Beath. “The system feeds information from a network of cameras to a central control room, where operators can assess the situation and decide what messages to send motorists through the signage boards.”

“The system relies on fast communication between the control centre and the signage boards out on the highways,” says Metacom chief technology officer Jako Winter. “We are supplying a solution that includes our own virtual private network, built on the existing infrastructure of the cellular networks. Our communication devices all have dual subscriber identity module cards so they can instantly switch over if any of the networks go down.”

According to Metacom MD Réan van Niekerk, traditional communication solutions mean digging up roads to lay cables, which is very expensive.

He adds that, by using cellular tech- nology, the project will deliver a more cost-effective communication without compromising reliability. It also means than the company can remotely monitor all its devices in the field and maintain them in the event of a problem, without needing to send a technician to the site.

Mac Beath says that cellular commu- nication is very effective, both as a first- line solution and as backup for other communication technologies. “There is a huge problem with cable theft and it can take weeks to fix, so we always use cellular communication as backup to fibre, because it is easy to roll out, [involves] low maintenance and does not suffer from the noise issues we are starting to see with WiFi.”

Joint Projects

He concludes that the reliability of the system has been proven in other joint projects between Metacom and SATT, including signage for the Cape Town International Convention Centre and the Chapman’s Peak scenic drive, as well as the Ben Schoeman highway in Gauteng. “It is a solid industrial product. I have had some units out in the field for six or seven years and none have failed yet, even though the traffic environment, in particular, is incredibly corrosive.”

Something like his
http://www.satt.co.za/images2/IMG_1344.jpghttp://www.satt.co.za/images2/IMG_1358.jpg
http://www.satt.co.za/images2/VMS_19_Test.jpg

they've been going up all over the N1 and N2. Could well be up and running before the end of year at this rate. Quite exciting stuff.

Saw one up on the M5 too. They're busy installing the others.

Was previously wonder what on earth happened to the signs.

Correct Andre, they also installed in Jozi, Durbs and PTA.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs274.snc1/10119_281355115547_825830547_8942310_6406087_n.jpg

Sooo much better than those other gold things.

Images of the electronic signboards have been posted in the road developments thread