I prefer tiles to a concrete floor; so I am happy with the tiles. The colour...It's growing on me.

Temporary closure of Hertzog Boulevard intersection with Jan Smuts Street/Civic Avenue

Construction of Cape Town’s new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system on Hertzog Boulevard will prevent vehicles moving between its carriageways where it intersects with Jan Smuts Street/Civic Avenue from 09:00 on Friday 15 January 2010 until Sunday evening, 24 January 2010.

The construction will also affect motorists travelling from the CBD, as they will not be able to turn right from Hertzog Boulevard into Civic Avenue or right into Hertzog Boulevard from Civic Avenue. Motorists will also not be able to cross Hertzog Boulevard from Civic Avenue/Jan Smuts Street.

Motorists are therefore advised to use DF Malan Street as an alternative route. Those coming along Civic Avenue cannot turn right and should turn left into Hertzog Boulevard and then right at D F Malan Street. Motorists who would normally have turned right from Jan Smuts Street into Hertzog Boulevard are advised to make a detour towards the Harbour along Jan Smuts Street, then left into Table Bay Boulevard and finally onto D F Malan Street.

On completion, the IRT vehicles will operate in their own dedicated red lanes, along Hertzog Boulevard. The IRT system will provide Capetonians with fast, safe and reliable public transport when it is implemented.

The City apologises to residents for the inconvenience and thanks them for their patience during the construction. The City has tried to reduce the inconvenience by scheduling work over two weekends.

For a detailed map of the detour click here (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Documents/Map1.pdf).

Martin Pollack 2010/01/14

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/buddyicons/88587083@N00.jpg?1231296883#88587083@N00 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/anastaciah/) Uploaded on January 13, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/anastaciah/archives/date-posted/2010/01/13/)
by Anastacia Haddon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/anastaciah/)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4272658632_01ff9a6917_b.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4271913919_37625a9f95_b.jpg

I can't wait to ride one of them buses!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4272658632_01ff9a6917_b.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4271913919_37625a9f95_b.jpg
Please don't forget to acknowledge the photographer of this pic...

MTN WEBCAM

http://ota.mtn.co.za/webcam/0107_TableMountain.jpg

Please don't forget to acknowledge the photographer of this pic...

ah yes, thanks, I usually copy the upload date and photostream link. Prob forgot.

MTN WEBCAM

Nice!

So the Granger Bay station won't be used during the World Cup, but it would make sense to me if they just built another station at the V&A and had say, 2 or three buses, running on a loop between the V&A and stadium.

So the Granger Bay station won't be used during the World Cup, but it would make sense to me if they just built another station at the V&A and had say, 2 or three buses, running on a loop between the V&A and stadium.
So then what’s the point of it? Yes it is a station that will be used to transport people closer to the V&A but the main focus was to get people to the stadium...Anyway, when will it be complete/in use, after the WC? That’s just stupid.

An IRT station will only be built provided they receive funding from the V&A; because they will benefit majorly

Its a prototype station. Just used as a guideline for other stations

So there goes the original plan of using GBS as an over flow station for GPS.
Now I’m getting worried. We having less/smaller buses; now using one less station, which will be complete yet not in use outside the city’s biggest attraction. Plus God alone knows how busy that station will be post the WC, despite being by a local hospital and near (not really when walking) the V&A.

Why wouldn't Granger Bay Bus station be used for WC ?? It looks pretty much ready for it and is directly at the stadium.

I also think it is close enough to serve V+A very well. Just a short walk over the parking deck and one is in the Waterfront building.

But the key use will be in long run. When the new event management area at the V+A (the "lookout", behind Ocean power boat club, 3 fields for events 5000+5000+10000 sqm) is fully set up.
And as soon the new Sommerset Hospital development has been settled.

I think planers have here very well anticipated the future. Granger Bay station will become a busy hub.

Panic builds over WC transport
Jan 17 2010 08:24 Antoinette Slabbert

Pretoria - Government is worried about the availability of money for transport during the Fifa World Cup tournament, but there is no need to panic, said Deputy Minister of Transport Jeremy Cronin.

Cronin was responding to various businesspeople and interested parties who had told Sake24 about a scrambling to find money for shortfalls on capital projects as well as for transport operations for the World Cup.

This could cause untold frustration for the 450 000-odd visitors needing to move between airports and cities to stadiums.

Cronin declined to give details, but confirmed that there was ongoing consultation with National Treasury.

Sake24 however understands that Minister of Transport Sibusiso Ndebele, the provincial MECs for transport as well as representatives of the host cities, will soon be meeting to allocate funds for capital expenditure on rapid-transport bus services.

Cronin confirmed that this was under discussion and that at least two Metro councils - Tshwane and eThekwini - had underspent.

Rapid-transport bus services were supposed to establish better public urban transport as a legacy of the World Cup.

From various quarters Sake24 has learned that unused funds can be taken back from Tshwane to meet price increases for the rapid bus services in Johannesburg, Cape Town and the Nelson Mandela Bay metro in Port Elizabeth.

According to the payment schedule on the National Treasury's web page, in the current financial year R565m would have been paid over to Tshwane from the allowance for public transport infrastructure and systems. Of this, R360m has apparently already been given to Tshwane. But little has yet been done and Sake24 was able to establish that only the environmental impact study for the first stage had been completed.

There is also great concern regarding operating plans for the tournament, causing some to think panicking might be appropriate.

Eric Cornelius, chief executive of the South African Bus Operators Association (Saboa), said the training of bus drivers began only in December.

Noluvuyo Halana, spokesperson for Autopax, confirmed that this training has not yet been paid for. Autopax is part of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA. Although Autopax has asked government for money, no allocation has yet been made. Autopax is apparently funding the training itself, but without assistance will find itself in a tight spot.

- Sake24.com

The Golden Arrow Bus Transport is nailing the people now.
A short trip from Waterfront to Sea Point cost R 4.50 few days ago.
Today they are charging R 8.00 for the same trip.
Price increase of 77.77 %. :bash:

Or are they also "just preparing" for the World Cup.
Better to use my car more often. :lol:

I only saw your post now, I posted my opinion on Cape Town Public Transport as well...this is really bad! I was so shocked, I should have turned around and walked to the waterfront, but I was in a total daze so I paid and sat down.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4284609148_058f79e397_b.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4283871887_4e7f4123a3_b.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4284615674_a610295250_b.jpg

I've given up trying to understand the logic behind some of these decisions. Instead I'll take the ostrich approach by burying my head in the sand and hoping a miracle occurs.

GBS glass is +/- 98% complete
Still find it quite the anti climax that this station will not be used during the WC... Will it at least be used now in March/April when the new system is meant to go Live?

GBS glass is +/- 98% complete
Still find it quite the anti climax that this station will not be used during the WC... Will it at least be used now in March/April when the new system is meant to go Live?

It will be used once the test buses arrive, for drivers to start training

Cape Town 2010: Transport Service Costs



Service 1: Central City to Match Venue (2km)
Cost: Free

Depart: Main Transport Hub (Central City)
Civic Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_f.jpg) 2 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_m.jpg)

Arrive: Match Venue
Stadium IRT Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_21_dec_09h.jpg) 2 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_y.jpg)

Route (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_dec_09d.jpg) (Bottom of image to stadium at the top)

Fleet: 36 new Volvo BRT buses
8 x 18m articulated buses (156 seats each)
28 x 12m standard buses (120 seats each)

Capacity: 20,000 per hour (peak)

Cost: Free

Service 2: Airport to City Shuttle Service (15km) - Cost: $6.65 / R50

Depart: Cape Town International Airport
Airport IRT Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_b.jpg) 2 (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3896941058_c2672915d1_o.jpg)

Arrive: Main Transport Hub (Central City)
Civic Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_f.jpg) 2 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_m.jpg)

Fleet: 7 new Volvo BRT buses
7 x 12m standard buses (incl. luggage space)

Capacity: 480 passengers per hour

Cost: $6.65 / R50

Service 3: Inner City Loop Service - Cost: $1.1 / R8

Service: All match and non-match days excl. 2 hours before and after matches

Route: Regular service around designated CBD route

Fleet: 36 new Volvo BRT buses (As per match service)
8 x 18m articulated buses (156 seats each)
28 x 12m standard buses (120 seats each)

Capacity: 15,000 to 20,000 per hour (peak)

Cost: $1.1 / R8

Service 4: Park and Ride (Bus) Cost: Free

Depart: University of Cape Town Campus
Arrive: Main Transport Hub (Central City)
Civic Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_f.jpg) 2 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_m.jpg)
Distance: 6km
Fleet: 26 Jammie Shuttle buses (http://www.uct.ac.za/images/uct.ac.za/currentstud/services/jammie/jammieshuttles.jpg)

Depart: Century City
Arrive: Main Transport Hub (Central City)
Civic Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_f.jpg) 2 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_m.jpg)
Distance: 12km


Service 5: Park and Ride (Rail) Cost: Normal Train Fares (Extended service to 2am)
Average Cost:
1-20km ($0.8) R4-8
21-35km ($1.1) R8-10
36-50km ($2) R12-15

Depart: Various Rail Stations

Arrive: Cape Town Central Station
Images: 1 (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xpQhR09TEI4/SxYP8urabMI/AAAAAAAABFs/GQ33EnU9e8w/s400/Cape%2BTown%2BStation%7EStrandStreet.jpg) 2 (http://d6002407.i87.inlineservers.net/images/Cape-Town-Station-2010_001.jpg)

Service 2: Airport to City Shuttle Service (15km) - Cost: $6.65 / R50

Depart: Cape Town International Airport
Airport IRT Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_b.jpg) 2 (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3896941058_c2672915d1_o.jpg)

Arrive: Main Transport Hub (Central City)
Civic Station 1 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_f.jpg) 2 (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_m.jpg)

Fleet: 7 new Volvo BRT buses
7 x 12m standard buses (incl. luggage space)

Capacity: 480 passengers per hour

Cost: $6.65 / R50



I think R50 is a bit much for this service. The point of the BRT/IRT system is to get people start using public transport, by making it more affordable and reliable.

CTIA is not that far away. It would be an effort to go into town (rather than just drive straight to CTIA); then still pay R50 for a one way ticket. Mathematically; it works out cheaper to use your car, with R10 been allocated for a parking fee.

Its because the base fare was set at R40...
it actually works out to be R46 which is rounded to R50.

The IRT distance based cost structure is 30c per km. Without the base fare, its R6 to the City.

Not sure who decides on this base fare.

Not even sure what infrastructure will be in place for the "Inner City loop".
Bus Stops? times? R8 a day or per trip? Dedicated lanes? security ? etc.

Cape Town 2010: Transport Service Costs


Service 3: Inner City Loop Service - Cost: $1.1 / R8

Service: All match and non-match days excl. 2 hours before and after matches

Route: Regular service around designated CBD route

Fleet: 36 new Volvo BRT buses (As per match service)
8 x 18m articulated buses (156 seats each)
28 x 12m standard buses (120 seats each)

Capacity: 15,000 to 20,000 per hour (peak)

Cost: $1.1 / R8



This is the service Sydney ran, which was free!

Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

The free service ran every five minutes, between 9.30am and 1am, from 13 September to 3 October 2000, connecting CityRail stations and other key points in the city centre.

http://pandora.nla.gov.au/parchive/2000/S2000-Sep-12/www.orta.nsw.gov.au/olympic_maps/cbd_map_05.gif

R46 is still "a lot" Management needs to understand that people must still get to the Bus station; which is in town.
They want people to start using this system, but R46 ONE WAY is not going to get me out of my car.
They need to re-strategize otherwise GVT needs to make a plan.

All should climb aboard as IRT is only plan travelling in the right direction



By Ibrahim Seedat and Bill Cameron

In the medium term a city-wide Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) network of priority lanes and integrated feeder services is probably the only viable future for Cape Town in the constant battle to limit car use and the use of well-located land for parking.

Traffic congestion for Capetonians travelling home in their private vehicles has become increasingly worse. Commuters have recently experienced repeated deadlocks on the N1, leading to city-wide gridlocks. Commuters travelling to and from the Southern Suburbs and the West Coast have also experienced increased congestion, leading to more time spent commuting.

The next 10 to 20 years are going to see traffic congestion, oil depletion, climate change restrictions and economic contraction seriously challenge inherited urban movement systems. Sustainable cities will be those that develop energy-efficient and user-friendly movement networks. Mass car use will not meet this challenge, but nor will ineffective public transport systems that are "stuck in traffic".

The trick is to make public transport faster and more reliable than car travel in a city. A high quality, car competitive public transport network is a prerequisite for any sustainable, livable and competitive city of the 21st century.

What dozens of cities across the world have realised is that they can have a mass transit system - through IRT - even if they cannot afford expensive underground railways.

IRT is a phased city-wide network of interlinked major corridors and formal feeder services that are fully connected and offer easy transfers for the customer. The IRT philosophy is based on networks of services running on dedicated lanes that ultimately cover the entire city. IRT is no different from other network services with dedicated infrastructure, such as cellphone, water and electricity distribution systems.

To attract and retain high volumes of customers, a city must put in place a widespread high-quality dedicated network as quickly as possible. Just as for cellphone services (where a fancy phone is useless on a network with poor coverage), dedicated network coverage is essential if public transport is going to be viable for city residents.

For example, New York City has 468 subway stations and 4 600 buses that cover the entire city and can be accessed by paying a single flat fare.

With this in mind, Cape Town's plan is for an initial IRT launch with about 68km of mainline (trunk) IRT corridor served by 21 trunk stations and 63km of feeder routes, with about 150 feeder stops. The longer-term objective, subject to financial approval, is to implement the system throughout the city, so that 75 percent of residents are within 500 metres of an IRT station.

IRTs are fairly easy to manage and maintain - once a city has trained a specialist team. With GPS tracking of the fleet feeding data live into a central control centre and with dedicated lanes, fixed stations, and passenger use information available from smartcards, it becomes much easier to schedule fleet deployment and to adjust this in line with user demand.

All of this can ultimately be programmed into computer fleet management software, as is done by airlines, because the capacities of buses, dedicated lanes and fixed stations are known and travel times on the network and stopping times at stations are predictable.

For private sector IRT operators contracted to supply the services, the fleet is much easier to manage than that with conventional bus services. Fleet use is predictable (down to things like engine idling time and the number of times the doors open and close) and therefore it becomes easier to plan for preventive maintenance and for staff training.

Every major city will attest that mass car use is not the solution to urban movement problems. South African cities are at a crossroads. They need to decide whether they are going to remodel themselves on public transport and non-motorised network lines or suffer the consequences of unsustainable consumption of road and parking space by car users.

For example, each car is parked for 22 hours a day and requires three or four parking bays (home, work, shops, etc). With manoeuvring space for parking, each car consumes at least 70 square metres of urban space for the 22 hours a day it stands still. This is the equivalent of a decent two-bedroomed house. Better still, it is the equivalent of four two-bedroomed flats in a walk-up building or eight flats in a building with lifts.

For every future car we can avoid deploying in our cities, we will be able to find well-located city land for up to eight families.

Take a hard look at shopping malls, airports, even suburban churches - the parking footprint (for customers and staff) is actually bigger than the mall or airport or church activity space.

A city-wide integrated public transport network would enable South Africans cities to move away from land for parking to land for human settlements. A walk around the Cape Town CBD will reveal large parcels of open land used for parking that could be converted to humane living in medium-density walk-up human settlements and parks.

We have yet to see an alternative future-proof mass transit option that matches IRT for affordability, includes taxi and bus operators and workers, and attracts discretionary car users. Tinkering with safe options that do not redirect road space away from cars will not cut it.

We are confident all the spheres of government have done their homework on this - despite the inevitable teething problems that accompany fundamental change. Do not take our word for it; we are more than happy to debate this publicly.

Seedat and Cameron are directors in the public transport branch of the national Department of Transport

Published on the web by Cape Times on November 1, 2009.

I'm not so sure if the IRT will work in suburban areas. Lets take crime out of the this discussion and assume that everyone is willing to take public transport to work and school. Is it feasible to have a city wide IRT system? lets assume that theres a station every 500m in the suburban areas. Thats around maybe 100 households in suburbs like durbanville, panaroma etc. how many time will they travel per day? If Cape Town (and all the other Cities in SA) dont solve the urban spiral problem, public transport is not going to work. Cape Town cannot be compared to new york. residence in new york live on top of each other. The population density cannot be compared with cape town. I think we should change the way how people live first. Im sure it will work in the west coast, cbd, southern suburbs and the cape flats because population is more densified. But I dont think it will work in the northern suburbs (where the most traffic comes from) at this stage.

A station every 500m? Sounds like a bit much to me.

I'd assume that in the Northern Suburbs they'd build stations in busy central locations, such as Tygervalley or central Bellville.

^^ The way to make it work in sparsely populated suburbs...

Secure and safe Park-and-Ride facilities and dedicated lanes on Trunk Routes... provided stops are few and far between, facilitating tremendous time savings in traveling to the CBD using public transit.

Remember the IRT system is not simply a bus system.

It acknowledges rail as the backbone or core mode of mass transit, and is more of a link system to improve option and connections.

So e.g. smaller feeder systems will offer the same services/penetration that taxis currently offer in suburbs.

You won't see dedicated trunk lanes running through a residential area.

I'm not so sure if the IRT will work in suburban areas. Lets take crime out of the this discussion and assume that everyone is willing to take public transport to work and school. Is it feasible to have a city wide IRT system? lets assume that theres a station every 500m in the suburban areas. Thats around maybe 100 households in suburbs like durbanville, panaroma etc. how many time will they travel per day? If Cape Town (and all the other Cities in SA) dont solve the urban spiral problem, public transport is not going to work. Cape Town cannot be compared to new york. residence in new york live on top of each other. The population density cannot be compared with cape town. I think we should change the way how people live first. Im sure it will work in the west coast, cbd, southern suburbs and the cape flats because population is more densified. But I dont think it will work in the northern suburbs (where the most traffic comes from) at this stage.

It includes all forms of transport so e.g. there may be a rail station within 500m of my home but not an IRT station.

That's why the N1 as a trunk route is not a priority since the existing Bellville Rail Link to the CBD offers mass transit, is reasonably safe, affordable, quick AND has reserve capacity.

The need for a link e.g. comes in at the N7 via Vanguard Drive. So for e.g. Take a train from the CBD to Monte Vista and use and IRT link towards other areas not served by rail.

IRT is offered on the West Coast Route because congestion is extremely high and it is unlikely PRASA will reopen the rail route to the CBD in the short term.

In terms of the way we live, this is why the city is pursuing a Densification strategy (not to densify all areas!) but to find where it may be appropriate to reconsider current density rules/limits and encourage density where appropriate.

This works in tandem with the Coastal Protection Framework.

...That's why the N1 as a trunk route is not a priority since the existing Bellville Rail Link to the CBD offers mass transit, is reasonably safe, affordable, quick AND has reserve capacity....
That it is and I've been using it for exactly a year today. I am happy to report that it works for me. I have to add however that I still have to travel 3.5kms to the station at Oosterzee and I also have to walk to the Waterfront(at this stage) as I've given up on using Golden Arrow at R8 for 2kms of travel
But all in all, I would encourage people close to the Monte Vista line from Belleville to use the train!

That it is and I've been using it for exactly a year today. I am happy to report that it works for me. I have to add however that I still have to travel 3.5kms to the station at Oosterzee and I also have to walk to the Waterfront(at this stage) as I've given up on using Golden Arrow at R8 for 2kms of travel
But all in all, I would encourage people close to the Monte Vista line from Belleville to use the train!


So for example in Bellville an IRT link would be important from the train station to the Velodrome and surrounds rather than each company organizing a bus to provide for its employees only.

Mo, yeah, i agree and i know how the IRT works. But the rail system is not upto scratch though. Overcrowded cabins and areas around the stations are unsafe. I mean would anyone go to work by taking the train if he/she got her laptop and other belongings with her/him? I dont think people will want to take chances. I also think its a psychological thing.. "public transport is not safe" has been built into South African minds for a while now.. it takes time to get use to. It will take awhile before we can get the cars off the roads.

On the Express trains some people do take laptops.

The problem with trains is metrorail as an operator. Full stop.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4309367369_f20467abca_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/buddyicons/46031152@N06.jpg?1262284464#46031152@N06 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46031152@N06/) Uploaded on January 27, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46031152@N06/archives/date-posted/2010/01/27/)
by jovni (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46031152@N06/)

On the Express trains some people do take laptops.

The problem with trains is metrorail as an operator. Full stop.

All I know is that on the trains some of my friends have been forced to take, they wouldn't be caught with a cellphone in their hands, nevertheless a laptop.

^^Of course that depends on the line you take. When i travel from Observatory down to Southern Suburbs on the train which i do almost every day, lots of people are listening to ipods, have their cell phones out and a number even carry laptops with them.

Dan Plato, Council Speech



Speaker, construction work on the road infrastructure for the Integrated Rapid Transit(IRT) system has resumed after the December builders' holiday and is progressing well. The progress being made on the station infrastructure, in particular, is noteworthy.


The Granger Bay proto-type station will be completed at the end of February and will be our first completed IRT station. It is at this station where we are testing all the different engineering and operational facets involved to ensure that the construction of our other stations in the inner city and on the west coast is smooth and efficient. I encourage residents and councillors to drive down the newly opened Granger Bay Boulevard and to view this station and the Boulevard itself.


Our IRT station at the airport will be completed at the end of March. The airport station takes pride of place in the main plaza outside the new departures hall at the airport, and will provide visitors to our city with a speedy and affordable trip into Cape Town 's CBD.


The external infrastructure for our stations at the Cape Town Stadium and at the Civic Centre will be completed at the end of April, with security cameras and gates being installed thereafter.


I was very pleased to see that almost a quarter of the spectators at the stadium's first test event on Saturday used the shuttle service. Well done to the City's Transport Department staff and our partners for the professional manner in which the shuttle service was run. It was an important trial run for the high quality shuttle service that we plan to ultimately provide through the IRT system for the stadium during the World Cup tournament and at all the future events we plan to host there. I encourage Capetonians to use the shuttle service at our next test event in 10 days time.


Progress on the City's West Coast roads is also encouraging. We reached an important milestone on Thursday, 07 January when we started construction of the IRT infrastructure on Blaauwberg Road outside the Bayside and the Pick n Pay shopping centres. The relocation of mini-bus taxis stacking on the roadway as well as the relocation of the Golden Arrow bus stops went very smoothly.


Although the relocation was necessitated by the need to start building critical IRT infrastructure that will ultimately extend this service to the communities of Dunoon, Doornbach and Mountague Gardens, the City also recognised that the situation of taxis stacking at Bayside needed to be addressed and formalised in a manner that assists commuters, but also the industry and businesses in the area. More work is required in this regard.
However, I would like to personally thank the South African Police Services led by Superintendent Hendrik Olivier, the City's Safety and Security and Transport staff and the IRT project team for their exemplary work and the successful way in which they implemented this operation, with minimal disruption to commuters and the business community in the area.


The manufacture of the 18 m articulated buses and the 12 m buses is progressing well. Inspection and approval of the first prototype vehicles is scheduled for mid- February and their delivery for February and April. The delivery of the main fleet will start during the first week of May.
The City is negotiating a lease with Transnet - with the option to purchase - of a property which will be used with adjacent municipal land, as an Inner City Bus Depot. Minor improvements to this site will be implemented once negotiations are concluded. City-owned land on the Foreshore will also be made available for the staging and parking of IRT buses.


The City has contracted a public transport operator for the second test event at Cape Town Stadium on 6 February, and has offered the existing scheduled bus and mini-bus taxi industry in the inner city an opportunity to provide the IRT component of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Spectator Transport Services. The City's IRT team is finalising contractual negotiations with a company drawn from operators in the inner city public transport sector.


The delivery of our buses, the appointment of an operator and the acquisition of our inner city bus depot will allow the City to operate the City-Airport service, a Civic Centre Stadium shuttle service, a UCT-City park and ride service and an inner-city circulatory service during the 2010 World Cup period. The City intends using the newly-purchased buses as soon as possible after the 2010 soccer tournament in the IRT starter service along the R27 on the West Coast.

LMAO.. Mo, thats harsh.. I think Metrorail is not making any profit from doing the service. The fares are too cheap. They should invest in new coaches. Those ones that they are using must belike 40 years old or something. Good news for the IRT, its sad that the R27 wont be ready before the world cup. I wonder what those people that invested in the hotels at the west coast will say... haha!

It was always planned for September 2010 completion.
It will use the 18m buses and some 12m buses with the remainder used in the CBD.

Why can't they just put together R5 billion from City, Province and Treasury funds and just get Phase 1 done.

Phase 2 is desperately needed and will require R11 billion.

When will they get real about the costs of these projects?

Here we're fumbling around with R1 billion while other cities spend that in 1 month, and hence have world class public transport. It costs money.....issue a bond, take out a loan, charge us tax if you have to!

so tired of waiting.

^^ Okay, fine! I'll ask the CofCT if they can do something!

Instead of paying R220 + for a metred taxi you can pay R50 to the CBD.

Metered taxis fear loss of earnings on airport route

January 29, 2010 Edition 2
Quinton Mtyala

METERED taxi operators at Cape Town International Airport say they will be the losers when the City of Cape Town starts its bus service ahead of the World Cup.



The city has proposed that a trip from the airport to the city centre be charged at R50 a passenger, while in the inner city loop it would cost only R8.



Abubaker Safodien, chairman of the Western Cape Metered Taxi Association, said both operators and drivers would be hard-hit by the competition.



But Kylie Hatton, the city's spokesperson, said the new buses, which form part of the ambitious IRT (integrated rapid transport) system, would create more business for metered taxis.



Metered taxi operators insist that it would be impossible for them to compete on the lucrative airport to city centre route were the new buses to charge only R50, a trip that usually costs R220 by taxi.
"It's impossible for us to compete against that.
"The city and the provincial government have to understand that taxi operators will lose out," said Safodien.
Safodien said that despite talks around the implementation of the new bus service with senior city officials and Premier Helen Zille, it appeared that "their minds had been made up".
Safodien said hotel "courtesy" shuttles had already eaten into the market for metered taxi operators and the addition of buses at the advertised price would deal a further blow to the industry.




Rod Barnes, chairman of the Touchdown Taxi Association, which exclusively serves the airport, said his members were never consulted on the pricing structure.



"The DA (city council) is not concerned about us, they are not scared of us because we are not violent, unlike the minibus taxi operators," said Barnes.



Hatton said: "Our buses are for mass transport - the metered taxis cater for a completely different market."



The city envisaged that taxis would transport people from the IRT bus terminals and thus recoup some of their losses.
"We want to give people an opportunity to catch mass public transport, but even with this there'll still be a market for metered taxis," said Hatton.
After the World Cup the city hoped to route the bus service along Modderdam Road where more people could make use of it as well as through Langa, Maitland and ultimately converging at Paarden Eiland.
Hatton said negotiations were still ongoing about which routes the inner-city service, at R8 a trip, would take.
quinton.mtyala@inl.co.za

Solutions for sharing the road

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/PublishingImages/News%20Images/IRT_PIC_29.jpg
How much priority should the City of Cape Town give to public transport over private vehicles? Cape Town’s new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system borrows many lessons from Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in South American cities, where leaders have been prepared to limit radically the space available for private vehicles in order to build bus lanes. The assumption was that this would be balanced out as more people used public transport and left their cars at home.

The City of Cape Town has taken a more pragmatic approach, following the principle that the IRT infrastructure should have no lasting impact on the currently available road space, which is too busy as it is. Instead, new lanes are being built in the road reserve, or entirely new roads are being built just for buses on available land. Where these options aren’t available, buses will be required to operate in normal mixed traffic, or share a single lane. So far the City has also avoided expropriating land to expand roadways.

But there are places where simple solutions cannot provide all the answers. One of these is at intersections. In South America, many buses are equipped with wireless sensors that turn traffic lights green so they never have to stop. This can cause long delays for motorists trying to drive across the bus lane and so is not considered an option for Cape Town.

But at the same time, it would be impossible to run a scheduled bus service if buses get locked up for long periods of time at intersections. Instead, Cape Town is preparing to introduce a hybrid system where buses that are running late will trigger a slight variation in the programming of the traffic lights ahead of them. This will help them get through a bit faster without giving them overall priority.

But the problems don’t end there. For intersections to function smoothly, they require additional lanes to separate vehicles that are going forward and vehicles that are turning. This means that there often isn’t space for new bus lanes in the areas before and after intersections. And, where the bus lanes split at an intersection, buses may also require extra turning lanes.

In South American cities, one solution has been to ban vehicles from turning right at intersections along BRT routes, eliminating the need for turning lanes. However this requires rerouting traffic along surrounding roads, and is not really an option in residential areas.

Instead, engineers working on the IRT system have had to come up with customised solutions for sharing the road at each intersection. An example of this is a ‘pre-signal system’, where traffic lights are set up just before an intersection’s turning lanes begin. These lights control the sharing of the turning lanes between buses and cars, and also allow buses to ‘jump the queue’ waiting at the intersection.

Changes like this require significant upgrades to the structure of intersections. The surfaces of intersections also have to be replaced to make the tarmac strong enough for buses to travel on regularly, as is the case on all parts of the road where buses will travel in the same space as cars.

When these upgrades are taking place, Capetonians can expect short-term disruptions in traffic going through intersections on IRT routes, but they can rest assured that in the long run, they are getting the best possible compromise, with the new IRT system set to ease traffic congestion significantly while causing minimal disruption to the existing road space.


Martin Pollack 2010/01/29

The buses will be light grey. Pantone 427C.
http://www.imagine-words.com/graphics/colors/san_francisco_fog.gif

http://www.reklamhizmetleri.com/ENG/PANTONE/C_pantone.pdf

End November 2009: Project Status

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2703/4322322031_ee56892abf_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4323056678_7e530d33b6_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4323056912_da738d8586_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4323057260_302721f0a0_o.jpg

A bonus will be the control centre, so that buses can be deployed based on demand as soon as they leave the bus depot. For some reason Golden Arrow has pulled out of a company to operate the Match Day Shuttle only i.e. only 2010 WC service. They still remain interested in the post WC service as an operator. This seems strange, since they provided buses for the test event, and will do so for the next event, which is a requirement of the operator providing WC services.

2010 IRT Services

Please note:

1. All the IRT vehicles i.e.
28 x 12m vehicles
8 x 18m articulated vehicles
7 x 12m airport vehicles,
will only be required to provide peak services on match days, i.e. 2 hours after the match, moving close to 20,000 per hour. A gradual service i.e. not using all 43 vehicles will be used before the match.

The Match Day service will be free, but limited to ticket holders on match days and during peak periods i.e. post match.

2. On non-match days
12m buses will generally provide a dedicated inner city loop service, while on match days, will provide the same service, reduced during the 2 hours before and after the match.

3. The Airport Service will use 7 airport buses, fitted to accommodated bags/luggage. In addition, the 18m trunk/articulate buses will cater for any additional airport demand i.e. 156 seat buses. This will cost R50.

4. It seem as if the Century City Park and Ride has been scrapped and may only be Park and Rail, using the new station. This does make sense, except that the parking area is some distance from the station. A few buses moving commuters from the parking area to the station may be required. Trains move a much higher capacity of people per hour and the new infrastructure lowers the cost of additional park and ride security/services.

The UCT Park and Ride will use Jammie Buses.

5. Other feeder services to Hout Bay/Queens Beach will be provided by buses and taxis running on a certain schedule.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4323146392_43f9405516_o.jpg

In terms of the brand.

I hope we get something very simply and distinct, uncomplicated etc. e.g. London Metro/Underground.

It could be a mix of the different colours used in the CoCT logo, with colours overlapping, representing the integrated nature of the system. Maybe concentric circles??

http://www.zingerbug.com/Backgrounds/background_images/light_blue_and_white_interlocking_concentric_circles.jpg

or something like the logo in the centre

http://logoblink.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/london-2012-logoblink-selection.gif

or
http://www.eatock.com/files/11933271120.jpg

BLUE : RAIL (PRASA)
GREEN: CYCLE (Green/Eco friendly travel)
RED: RIDE (BRT - red cycle lanes)
YELLOW: RIDE (Feeder - link to the IRT, yellow feeder buses?)
BLACK: WALK

I'd be happy with a grey version of this "metallic" type colour.

18m

http://www.transporama.be/images/newsletter/afbeeldingen/groot/8353f93e3dc945f7e793e31165204d2a.jpg

12m

http://multimedia.autofirmowe.pl/img/galeriazdjec/376/volvo_7700_0.jpg

The more colors to be used the more expensive (budget wasteful).
Design shouldn't have more than 3 colors. A third/forth color almost doubles the cost.

The colours of the brand/logo will be added to the grey.

Mo, yeah, i agree and i know how the IRT works. But the rail system is not upto scratch though. Overcrowded cabins and areas around the stations are unsafe. I mean would anyone go to work by taking the train if he/she got her laptop and other belongings with her/him? I dont think people will want to take chances. I also think its a psychological thing.. "public transport is not safe" has been built into South African minds for a while now.. it takes time to get use to. It will take awhile before we can get the cars off the roads.

Yeah - many people on the Northern line do take their laptops on the train with them in peak time. They even use them on the train.

Yeah - many people on the Northern line do take their laptops on the train with them in peak time. They even use them on the train.

Hello trumpi. Have you introduced yourself yet here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199868)?

The colours of the brand/logo will be added to the grey.

From the time one establishes the brand all letter heads and marketing media have to use these colours.

Calculate all print media marketing with “one colour brand and multi-colour brand”.
The cost delta is becoming in long run so huge, that even Apple had to reduce their original 7 color branding.


Also:
Long-term the new transport system should blend into the City as decent/silent transport system.
Not like a “market pusher”, who is desperate for attention.

Light/white blue could match grey nice

Something simply but retro...ala Munich 72 would be nice. I'm just hoping its not Rea Vaya or similar.

A big blue dot would make happy.

This is where you will buy your BRT tickets from when using the Green Point BRT Station.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4324545079_1f8fc79212_o.jpg

The plan is to walk under the bridge to this kiosk; where you will be able to find toilets and be able to purchase a bus ticket. You will then proceed (right) past the kiosk and walk in a tunnel leading into the station.
There is no external entrance/exist to the station besides through terminal doors. (bus use only)

I am concerned about the narrow access to or egress from the station via the circle.
Its certainly not a high capacity walkway.

^^ Yeah, someone who uses egress! :)

True. I did check out the tunnel; But could not actually walk through it due to scaffolding.
It is certainly not a high capacity walkway, but I think it will be fine. On match days, one can expect congestion.
At least there will be a toilet facility, maybe at a later stage a shop or two. Just not a load of street vendors. From the plans, it does not look bad.

Tariffs:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Budget/Documents/Budget%202009-2010%20final/Annexure%206/Transport,%20Roads%20and%20Stormwater%20-%202010%20World%20Cup%20Public%20Transport%20Services.pdf

Cape Town International Airport
IRT (Integrated Rapid Transit) Station

Fleet:

7 x 12m, 120 seat bus
8 x 18, 156 seat bus (Reserve)
($7/R50 to City Centre)

Design:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_b.jpg



Progress:
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_AP_Feb_4_a.jpg
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_AP_Feb_4_b.jpg

Hey guys

Seems that you can send your comments re: 2010 tariffs to the City Manager.

I think R8 is a bit steep per trip. There should be a media pass or daily pass for like R10-R15 that can be used throughout the day.

IRT infrastructure under construction on Blaauwberg road

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRT_21_dec_09f_s.jpg
Construction is about to start on the last Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) bus station for this phase of the project on the West Coast, ahead of the proposed launch later this year.

The Bayside station in Blaauwberg is at the end of a string of thirteen stations connecting the West Coast with the city centre, mostly along the R27. (view map (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Documents/IRT_City-Milnerton_Feb_2010_s.pdf)) This starter service, which will be launched as soon after the 2010 FIFA World CupTM as possible, will give Cape Town a taste of what IRT is really like, with a dedicated bus lane and stations located at major intersections along the route in built-up areas.

The Bayside station will initially serve commuters along the West Coast including the suburbs of Tableview, Atlantis, Mamre, Dunoon and Doornbach.

All of the other stations along this route are in varying stages of completion. However, the relocation of minibus taxis ranking and stacking on Blaauwberg road around the site of the Bayside IRT station needed to be completed before construction could begin.

The Bayside station will be built in the middle of the two carriageways of Blaauwberg Road where it passes between the Bayside and Pick ‘n Pay shopping centres, next to the intersection with the R27. However, it’s not just about putting up a platform and station structure. The IRT system is designed to provide maximum accessibility, particularly to pedestrians and cyclists, and a large area around the station needs to be upgraded to make it safe and simple to use. This includes landscaping, cycle facilities and pedestrian plazas.

Upgrading the area surrounding the Bayside station is particularly important because of the large numbers of pedestrians and the high volumes of passengers that the station will serve. Given the space constraints, upgrading the area surrounding the Bayside station to accommodate the high volumes of passengers that the station will serve has been a particularly challenging design for engineers, requiring extensive construction on the edges of Blaauwberg road where taxis previously loaded passengers.

The Bayside Mall shopping centre management has played an important role in the relocation of the mini-bus taxis stacking on Blaauwberg Road by providing a temporary site for a minibus taxi loading zone in their parking area, near the previous site.

Because the new area is used only for the collection and drop off of passengers, the preloading, stacking and queuing of taxis takes place at the Potsdam Transport Interchange down the road. The City has recognised that this arrangement may not be ideal for mini-bus taxis and is considering other options for stacking.

A system of access booms and two-way radios has been set up by the City to control movement by taxis between the waiting area at Potsdam and the passenger loading area at Bayside.

The relocation has given the City of Cape Town the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to the IRT system, with a large show of support from a wide range of municipal departments, as well as from local businesses and the South African Police Services. Although the local taxi operators initially voiced some frustration with the increased regulation that the move has brought, the new system is working well and the City is in regular contact with the public transport industry in the area. Construction has also been able to progress thus far with minimal disruption to traffic in the area.



Martin Pollack 2010/02/05

Think the IRT brand could be a disaster from some of the proposals I've seen.

Some of the names:
Cape Metro
Gogo
Yaya
Dassie.....


I'm so not kidding. The logos of the finalists are awful.

Haven't seen the final product but eish.

^^ Why the hell not the damn obvious, capeIRT, or the C.I.R.T. or maybe just CT.IRT and that's that. Easy, no connotations, no "Africanise the name because it looks good to National", just call it what it is! :ohno: If we were to be like upcountry and call it a name appropriate to "our" majority, we'd call it LêkkaBUS!

Dassie? LOL

I don’t think the tiling is too bad. Reminds me of the waterfront... What I don’t like is that the platform is uneven.


Hey and there is still space for air vents.

edit

Tiling is horrible, I think.

Tiles in the ceilings were specified based on their acoustic properties.

They may look kak in some peoples opinions, but in this case, function before form.

Tiles in the ceilings were specified based on their acoustic properties.

They may look kak in some peoples opinions, but in this case, function before form.

Nevermind, See you meant the floor tiles :P:bash:

WTF is YAYA?

WTF is YAYA?

I know it means "granny" in Greek. That's how f'ed up some of the suggestions are! :weird:

Nice!

They've added the report online! Ignore my crappy photocopy quality updates below!

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Documents/December_2009_IRT_Progress_Report_final.pdf

http://www.string.co.za/enewsletters/coct/irt_header.jpg

Getting the IRT on the road
http://www.string.co.za/enewsletters/coct/mike-marsden.jpg


Above: Mike Marsden, head of the City of Cape Town's Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) project, talks about the year ahead.
The City of Cape Town is set to run an IRT service for the duration of the World Cup and then ‘as quickly as possible’ after the June and July event to launch the system that aims to change the way Capetonians think about and use public transport.

‘The immediate focus is to get the existing obligations for 2010 in place, in which we use the IRT buses to render an “event service”, and simultaneously to progress the Phase 1 infrastructure up the West Coast. We need to get that IRT service going as quickly as possible after 2010,’ says Marsden. ‘Our focus is to show action and implementation on the ground and start the service. That’s the focus as far as delivery goes.’

A seasoned manager, fresh from the task of getting the Cape Town Stadium on the ground, he welcomes this new challenge. ‘The exciting part is to build public confidence, to explain the public benefit and to get the project up and running in a well-managed way that sees real delivery and real public benefit arising out of it.’


The airport-CBD and inner-city service
The transport service for the soccer spectacular will include the airport- CDB shuttle and a service around the inner city. The shuttle service will continue after the World Cup. The buses have been ordered from Volvo and are being built in Brazil and Germiston to very tight deadlines, with the first ones arriving in February for driver training. Marsden says negotiations are underway with existing operators to run this “event service”.

The fares for these first routes will be R50 from the airport to the CBD, and the inner city “circulatory system” will be R8, with no charge for the match-day shuttles from the CBD to the Cape Town Stadium. There will be basic bus stops in place for the circulatory service during the World Cup and the system will be run using paper tickets. After the World Cup this will be replaced with a smart card system.

The West Coast Service
Once the World Cup is over, resources will be focused on the R27 on the West Coast. ‘We want to have at least a starter service up the West Coast as soon as possible,’ says Marsden. ‘We are moving very fast, and I’m sure we’re going to make quite a few mistakes as well, but we have to deliver.’ Already most of the dedicated red lanes and the 13 stations are visible icons of the new system that is rapidly taking shape in this area.



Right: A sneak preview of the 18m articulated bus, moving to the next phase of build.
http://www.string.co.za/enewsletters/coct/terminator-bus.jpg
Ensuring affordability
‘If we don’t implement the improvements to public transport, are we prepared to accept the consequences of being a relatively mediocre city?'

Mike Marsden says the City is expecting a substantial additional financial allocation from national government in support of the IRT. Work is underway to programme considerable spending of around R1.6 billion in one year. The entire Phase 1A up the West Coast and in the CBD will cost about R4.3 billion to implement, with operating costs of R118 million, but Marsden is convinced that this will be money well spent.

‘Cape Town needs an improvement to its public transport service, especially if we start positioning ourselves as an event capital, and after the World Cup that’s the logical conclusion. The real beneficiary is the ordinary working person. And then there’s the opportunity for recreational use. If we are to make the step up to being a leading world city, one has to invest in public transport, and IRT does offer very good value compared to other forms of public transport.

‘The question really is, if we don’t implement the improvements to public transport, are we prepared to accept the consequences of being a relatively mediocre city? So I’m afraid that expensive as it is, one has to make these investments. We can make it work. We’ve got a very good team, with professional service providers, contractors and staff. There’s every reason to be optimistic. It’s just a matter of getting it done in proper project management methodology, just doing it in a way that’s prudent and within the affordability limits of council. We’ll implement as we get the money from national government, making sure we have as rapid a rollout as possible without sinking the City financially.’

How long will this take? ‘Phase 1A up the West Coast will conclude in 2013 or 2014,’ says Marsden. ‘Then, depending on the allocations from national government, we’ll be able to programme other routes. Maybe before 2015 if we get additional funding.’

Exhibition posters


The IRT exhibition can be viewed at the following venues:

Table View Library: 9th February – 16th February 2010
Blaauwberg Subcouncil: 16th February – 22nd February 2010
Table View Library: 22nd February – 8th March
Milnerton Library: 8th March – 22nd March

http://www.capetown.gov.za/_layouts/IMAGES/pdficon_small.gif Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) on the West Coast (609kb)
(http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Documents/IRT_West_Coast_banner_1_2901_10.pdf)http://www.capetown.gov.za/_layouts/IMAGES/pdficon_small.gif Completing the IRT route (349kb)
(http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Documents/IRT_West_Coast_banner_2_2901_10.pdf)http://www.capetown.gov.za/_layouts/IMAGES/pdficon_small.gif Building the IRT bus stations (230kb) (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Documents/IRT_West_Coast_banner_3_2901_10.pdf)

1A up the west coast completed by 2013/14?!!!!! But they have already built most of it already. How on earth can it take them another 3 years to get it up and running to Table View and Big Bay??

This is where you will buy your BRT tickets from when using the Green Point BRT Station.

The plan is to walk under the bridge to this kiosk; where you will be able to find toilets and be able to purchase a bus ticket. You will then proceed (right) past the kiosk and walk in a tunnel leading into the station.
There is no external entrance/exist to the station besides through terminal doors. (bus use only)

lmao, sorry but that one line was funny:
"...you will be able to find toilets and be able to purchase a bus ticket..."

1A up the west coast completed by 2013/14?!!!!! But they have already built most of it already. How on earth can it take them another 3 years to get it up and running to Table View and Big Bay??

its runs from September 2010.

The entire Phase 1A is targeted for 2013, based on current government funds

i.e. all the way up to Atlantis, more CBD works, lots of feeder routes and buses.

Closure of Hertzog Boulevard intersection with DF Malan

MEDIA RELEASE
NO. 103/ 2010
15 FEBRUARY 2010


The intersection of DF Malan Street with Hertzog Boulevard will be closed to motorists on Friday 19 February for five days, for the construction of Cape Town’s new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system.

The Hertzog Boulevard median crossing at DF Malan Street will be closed from 18:00 on 19 February until 14:00 on Wednesday 24 February. During this time motorists will not be able to turn right from Hertzog Boulevard into DF Malan Street or right into Hertzog Boulevard from DF Malan.

Motorists departing from the Standard Bank Building will also not be able to cross the Hertzog Boulevard intersection in order to travel along D.F. Malan Street or to turn right into the eastbound carriageway of Hertzog Boulevard. These motorists will be diverted temporarily via the new bus turn-around facility to the west of the intersection during the construction.

Motorists traveling along DF Malan Street towards Hertzog Boulevard wishing to turn right towards Heerengracht, are advised to turn right into Bartholomeu Dias Boulevard.

Motorists will be allowed to turn left into Hertzog Boulevard from DF Malan as well as left from the Civic Centre and Standard Bank Building basement parking areas.

On completion, the IRT vehicles will operate in their own dedicated red lanes, along Hertzog Boulevard. The IRT system will provide Capetonians with fast, safe and reliable public transport when it is implemented.

The City apologises to residents for the inconvenience and thanks them for their patience during the construction. The City has tried to reduce the inconvenience by ensuring that alternative routes are available during construction.

For more information on Cape Town’s new IRT system, please visit www.capetown.gov.za/irt

First bus is meant to arrive Friday....place your bets....will it happen?

Station Progress

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/10/buddyicons/50811886@N00.jpg?1115226943#50811886@N00 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenski/) Uploaded on February 15, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenski/archives/date-posted/2010/02/15/)
by warrenski (http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenski/)


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4359468121_a8f05c9b89_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4360226466_f63f4d3d5f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4359469851_3a5cc776c1_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4360211864_ee8e1f4b6f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4360198746_7ed780d4d2_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/4360162158_ee83952ed0_b.jpg

First bus is meant to arrive Friday....place your bets....will it happen?

Yes it will.

Wednesday 17 February 2010

The Red Road to Cape Town (http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/2010/02/red-road-to-cape-town.html)

You may well ask what has this concrete engineering got to do with boats and our company? well for one thing it will allow both staff and customers to access our premises without their own transports from the city and towns as far west as Atlantis on the west coast.The red strip thats being laid right now,goes right into the city center under Table Mountain in the distance,there will also be a cycle track following the same route.This is all part of the cities commitment to Fifa World Cup 2010,which starts in about 120 days only.We sure have a lot of highly trained men on the ground now,whats in store job wise after this year?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_L_gmO1xMx3I/S3uqBTiHX8I/AAAAAAAAHuQ/2ljBGtjT1Yk/s400/Rudder+blank+014.JPG (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_L_gmO1xMx3I/S3uqBTiHX8I/AAAAAAAAHuQ/2ljBGtjT1Yk/s1600-h/Rudder+blank+014.JPG)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_L_gmO1xMx3I/S3upRvAJ_JI/AAAAAAAAHuI/MZ0JfNHkAI0/s400/Rudder+blank+010.JPG (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_L_gmO1xMx3I/S3upRvAJ_JI/AAAAAAAAHuI/MZ0JfNHkAI0/s1600-h/Rudder+blank+010.JPG)
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_L_gmO1xMx3I/S3uoIeLTxnI/AAAAAAAAHuA/Sv3iWBRnseo/s400/Rudder+blank+011.JPG (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_L_gmO1xMx3I/S3uoIeLTxnI/AAAAAAAAHuA/Sv3iWBRnseo/s1600-h/Rudder+blank+011.JPG)
Posted by Mc Bride at 9:21 AM (http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/2010/02/red-road-to-cape-town.html) http://www.blogger.com/img/icon18_email.gif (http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=696865986115363040&postID=8006612715169166286) http://www.blogger.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif (http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=696865986115363040&postID=8006612715169166286)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AWbD7X_tqUY/S38UBLdTulI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/xNZWNhh66Ck/s800/DSC03818.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_AWbD7X_tqUY/S38UPpbboII/AAAAAAAAF5Y/bVJ9flDQVz8/s640/DSC03820.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AWbD7X_tqUY/S38UIbvHO0I/AAAAAAAAF5U/sr6ZYlULy98/s800/DSC03819.JPG

Did the first bus arrive yesterday? I think the key to BRT (and IRT in general) is the brand. The system needs to be irreversibly intertwined with Cape Town through branding and ease of use, a la London and London Underground. Names? Nothing cutesy like “Dassiebus” or whatever. That would be a disaster. What happened to Cape Metropolitan Transport? I really hope this BRT system is expanded throughout the Cape Metropole before I’m middle-aged.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4370565223_b0600a97ea_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4370566381_c9afd81c1e_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/buddyicons/35704936@N03.jpg?1235469941#35704936@N03 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lookingthroughmylens/) Uploaded on February 19, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lookingthroughmylens/archives/date-posted/2010/02/19/)
by Greg Beadle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lookingthroughmylens/)

OMG!!!...is he riding down?:nuts:

Tuesday Feb 23, 2010
Race to get Cape Town IRT buses ready for tournament


Ensuring that the 43 integrated rapid transit (IRT) buses reach Cape Town on time is the city's biggest transport challenge before the World Cup.
The buses will be used to ferry soccer fans between the airport and city, and from Hertzog Boulevard, where the main IRT station is being built, to the stadium on match days.


The 43 buses are designed to accommodate the disabled, with the first to be arrive next month. All the buses are due to be delivered by May.
A senior member of the city's transport directorate is to fly to Brazil next week to sign off the first prototype bus. The buses will cost the city just over R100 million.


Peter Sole, of the city's transport directorate, said everything was on track. The World Cup transport plan had been approved by the council, and elements of it were being implemented during the stadium test events.
Two test events have been held at Cape Town Stadium, and a third - a full-capacity event - is to take place on March 22.


"The shuttle service was one of the major challenges," said Sole.
"But this was mainly because we used commuter (Golden Arrow) buses. For the World Cup we will have the IRT buses, which have multiple-entry points and can take more spectators."


Sole said the buses ferrying spectators to test events had travelled in general traffic. For the World Cup, a number of roads would be closed.
"This means the shuttle service will be able to operate more efficiently," he said.


But the two test events had proved how essential the IRT buses were.
"We cannot transport spectators with commuter buses during the World Cup. It will take too long."


Ron Kingma, of the city's 2010 transport team, said it would take less than a minute to fill an IRT bus with spectators after a match. The IRT bus takes up to 150 passengers.



About 22 000 spectators are expected to use the shuttle service on match days.


Sole said about 20 000 people were expected to use the fan walk, with the rest parking in the city and at the V&A Waterfront. The shuttle service from Hertzog Boulevard to the stadium and back is free for ticket-holders.
Disabled spectators will be transported by the city's Dial-a-Ride buses from Hertzog Boulevard to the stadium.


Park-and-ride schemes, where fans can park their cars and be ferried to the stadium and fan parks, are also being put in place at railway stations across the city. The aim is to discourage the use of private transport.
Sole encouraged motorists to stay as far from the city as possible on match days.
All the park-and-ride facilities would be safe, secure and well lit, he said.
"Rail forms the backbone of the World Cup transport plan. Ticket-holders can use the rail network into the city free of charge on match days."
Seven of the 26 consultants hired to devise a World Cup transport solution for the provincial government under the previous ANC-led administration have been seconded to the city.


The 2010 contract, awarded to US company Games Transportation Systems Services (GTSS), came under scrutiny in a provincial treasury investigation last year.


The treasury investigated why the R91m contract had not been put out to tender and what steps had been taken to confirm that no South African companies could provide the required services. Questions were also raised about GTSS's BEE partner, which was not named in the provincial treasury documents.


The contract was signed and approved in 2007 by the head of the provincial transport department, Thami Manyathi, who has been suspended. GTSS had been paid R45m by the time Manyathi was suspended.


Transport and Public Works MEC Robin Carlisle said that of the 26 GTSS consultants, seven were helping with the city's World Cup transport plan and eight had been deployed in Eden and Beaufort West.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AWbD7X_tqUY/S38UBLdTulI/AAAAAAAAF5Q/xNZWNhh66Ck/s800/DSC03818.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_AWbD7X_tqUY/S38UPpbboII/AAAAAAAAF5Y/bVJ9flDQVz8/s640/DSC03820.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AWbD7X_tqUY/S38UIbvHO0I/AAAAAAAAF5U/sr6ZYlULy98/s800/DSC03819.JPG


1975

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4280910021_bd5e76b3d2_o.jpg

fantastic find Mo, love old 70s and 80s construction pics and in fact Im gonna start a thread on it

R1.9 billion extra for IRT system! Phase 1A to be accelerated.


As I've always stated, IRT is a government backed project.

Funds for the project have been increased.

R3 billion boost for IRT system

R3bn boost for IRT project
By Ella Smook and Murray Williams
Staff Writers

The West Coast's commuter nightmare could be over by Christmas after the national government injected R3,35-billion into Cape Town's Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system.

While only a limited IRT service will be ready in time for the World Cup in June, work will continue on the congested corridor between Blaauwberg and the city centre at full pace from July onwards.

It is estimated that this West Coast Starter Service - which does not include the leg between Blaauwberg and Atlantis - could be complete by December.

This route is plagued daily by traffic delays.

The IRT project was mired in controversy late last year with the disclosure of a bungle that saw the projected cost of the first phase balloon from R1,4bn to R3,5bn within a year.

This led to the resignation of the executive director of transport, roads and stormwater, Eddie Chinnappen.

The full cost to roll out Phase 1A - which will include Atlantis in the north, Du Noon and Doornbach to the east, Montague Gardens and the rest of the Milnerton area - is now estimated at R4,3bn.

The national government confirmed its intention to pay R3,35bn towards the project in a letter from the Department of Transport on December 15. This was reiterated last week by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his Budget speech.

The amount is R1,9bn more than the national government had originally promised and will now cover most of the huge increase in the cost of the project since its inception.

The estimated funding shortfall has now dropped to R44-million with this cash injection.

A well-placed source said the city had been embarrassed by the huge increase in the estimated cost of the project.

However, since the current quote is roughly in line with the estimate for Joburg's IRT project, the national government was apparently comfortable with increasing the allocation for Cape Town, the source said.

The source also pointed out that the initial costs (of R1,4bn) had been revised partly because the city had sought to improve the quality of several aspects of the IRT, such as wheelchair friendly turnstiles at bus stations.

The city's executive director of transport, roads and major projects, Mike Marsden, said the additional funding would result in the entire rescheduling of the project.

Marsden told the Premier's Metro Co-ordinating Forum yesterday that, because of this new allocation of money from national government, the city would be able to start sooner and this would help lower the escalation costs.

And because work could be completed faster, the project could also become cheaper, Marsden said.

Under a revised model, it was hoped that the post-World Cup IRT projects could start soon after the event.

Once the West Coast Starter Service was completed, work would start on the bulk of Phase 1A - through to Atlantis - which was planned to be completed by September 2013.

Work will also start next year on various "feeder services": new buses which will feed into the city from suburbs like Hout Bay.

For the World Cup, the city has confirmed that construction of three key bus stations are nearing completion: at the airport, at the Civic Centre and at the Cape Town Stadium. Buses have been ordered and an operator has been chosen.

During the World Cup, designated buses will run between the airport and the city at a cost of R50 a ticket, and between the central city and the stadium for free on match days.

Other new bus services will shuttle soccer fans from and back to 25 train stations which will become "park-and-ride" centres, as will UCT, Kronendal Primary in Hout Bay and Camps Bay High School.

In the central city, work has already begun on dedicated bus lanes around Hertzog Boulevard.

In the future, similar lanes will also be extended elsewhere in the metropolitan area.






This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Argus (http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5369619) on February 26, 2010

http://www.iol.co.za/data/mastheads/mast_1.gif (http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=22&click_id=1906)
Published on the Web by IOL on 2010-02-26 12:13:00

© 1999 - 2010 Independent Online. All rights strictly reserved.
Independent Online is a wholly owned subsidiary of Independent News & Media. Reliance on the information this site contains is at your own risk. http://secure-za.imrworldwide.com/cgi-bin/m?rnd=1267188656785&ci=za-independent&cg=0&cc=0&sr=1440x900&cd=32&lg=en-US&je=y&ck=y&tz=2&fl=10&si=http%3A//www.iol.co.za/general/news/newsprint.php%3Fart_id%3Dvn20100226121321728C886051%26sf%3D&rp=http%3A//www.iol.co.za/index.php%3Fset_id%3D1%26click_id%3D594%26art_id%3Dvn20100226121321728C886051

^^ Very good news.

http://vne-resource.iol.co.za/6/picdb/page_thumbs/medium_new/page1_5582837.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4393482078_c7aa820312_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4393479178_45036e6674_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4392708877_a9fc6f4fa4_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4393476738_2d0b155b50_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4392706191_7ac1e27375_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4392705557_11d65fae22_o.jpg

This is where the feeder stations are meant to be. Not sure if its going ahead. I suppose something has to happen as the minibus/GA buses that will offer temporary event services will need to use this site.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4393480678_6620ce7484_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4392711533_cff4c8ff1a_o.jpg

IRT bike paths designed for cyclists, by cylists

Few Capetonians consider regularly travelling by bicycle, despite the obvious health and cost benefits and that bicycles can be significantly faster than cars in peak traffic.

A major problem with bike commuting is that moving through traffic is difficult and dangerous, while obstacles and uneven surfaces make pavements a frustrating and unreliable alternative. On top of this, the distances may be discouragingly far and there is the risk of bad weather, punctures, fatigue and crime. http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/PublishingImages/News%20Images/takefour-e27d34-952c88.jpg

But these issues will largely disappear as Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system is rolled out across the city, with dedicated cycle paths making cycling an option for many.

A key feature of the new IRT system is the network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian pathways around the main bus trunk routes. The West Coast IRT starter service that will launch towards the end of 2010 features a smooth three metre wide tarred cycle path running along its entire 16km length from the city centre to the middle of Blaauberg.

To help people reach the main route, a secondary network of cycleways has also been designed for 500m along all its intersecting roads, although due to lower usage, these will generally consist only of painted cycle lanes on the existing roads. As far as possible networks like this will be extended along all IRT trunk routes as the system is expanded.

The exceptional feature of the IRT’s cycle system is that on the main routes cyclists can opt to switch to a bus to finish the journey. This provides a backup for cyclists who are not confident of their ability, or encounter a problem.

Bicycles will be allowed onto the buses, which have been designed together with the stations to make it as easy as possible to board. Some of the necessary features include wide doors and entrance gates, level boarding into the middle of the buses, and ramps leading up to the station platforms. The stations have been placed at all intersections with the route, about 600m apart. Commuters will also have the option of leaving a bicycle at lockup facilities placed within view of stations.

The bicycle lanes along IRT trunk routes are completely separate from the roadway, and therefore much safer. Extensive signage at all intersections alerts motorists to the presence of cyclists, while dedicated security guards at all stations, CCTV cameras in stations and on the route itself and 24 hour lighting also contribute to making cycling safer.

Many of the IRT’s engineers, architects and planners are cyclists themselves, and their personal insights have helped them to create a better system.

One noticeable enhancement on the bicycle lane is that the surface changes as it approaches intersections from about 20m, then changes again in the area immediately surrounding the intersection. These subtle variations, together with warning and yield signs, provide a clear signal that pedestrians or vehicles may be present in the area, particularly as cyclists could be travelling up to 25km an hour along some stretches.

The concept of transition zones leading to intersections was borrowed from South American cities, but has been developed further by local designers. Jaco Jordaan, a landscape architect who designed the upgrades to the areas around the IRT stations is an avid cyclist who commutes to work along the route he is working on, and used this experience to perfect the details of the how the cycle route goes through intersections. As one of his colleagues, a fellow cyclist, describes it, “Jaco lives and breathes the route”.

The focus on cycling also resulted in a decision to alter the design of the IRT infrastructure around the Civic Centre to allow for the start of the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. In particular, the raised concrete bumps that usually separate the red busway from normal traffic lanes have been permanently removed here to prevent injuries during the large batch starts on Hertzog Boulevard.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/Progress.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/ProgressStations.jpg

Cape Town International Airport Station
*No use of red tar, same concrete paving used throughout the area
*Two Big Blocks for trees on either side as the render shows
Outside the CTB, the new IRT Station
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4432348826_b9544d6c27_o.jpg
IRT Station, with view of the new Car Hire facility, Underground Tunnels, Additional Parking bays, City lodge, and Mountain Range
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4432351036_4ac3ebb3b6_o.jpg

Inside Note the Stone paving as well as the concrete benches
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4435431282_802ff7b4e2_o.jpg
Office/restrooms
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4435432342_7cb5033b7a_o.jpg
Installation of Glass has begun
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4435431964_bd0be60a38_o.jpg
For trees & Grass
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4432617980_6e6c3bf2ff.jpg

Somewhere I read about some roads not needing red tar and some simply getting normal tar with red in it.

Interesting, I dont think its too important to have the red tar, just "nice" to see.
This station is quite spacious, and Im quite excited to it in action.

I am slightly irritated with this system in CT. They taking far too long to get things up and running. e.g JHB has the feeder service working (well they trying) and they have Gautrain. This is it for us, and they just on a go slow along with CTS

The red tar is needed, to deal with the buses, and it lasts 30 years, I think it has rubber in it or something.

In some areas red tar is not needed but the red lanes are a good indicator that those lanes are reserved, as in some cases, along the Civic Centre, barriers will not be up, due to the Argus taking place there.

I am aware that there will be no barriers by the civic centre, and fully agree that it is a good indicator that the lane is reserved.
This has come up before but How will things work from CTIA to Civic centre? Bus lanes be reserved, but how?

In terms of the technical aspects of "red tar" it lasting longer does make sense, but then why are they leaving it out? Perhaps due to costs or time?

What do you guys think of the station, and its progress

^^ If it were a PRASA or SANRAL project, I'd say it's progressing well. But, because it's a CoCT project... it seems damn slow.

I am aware that there will be no barriers by the civic centre, and fully agree that it is a good indicator that the lane is reserved.
This has come up before but How will things work from CTIA to Civic centre? Bus lanes be reserved, but how?

In terms of the technical aspects of "red tar" it lasting longer does make sense, but then why are they leaving it out? Perhaps due to costs or time?

What do you guys think of the station, and its progress

Its a FIFA priority route so I'm not sure what that means yet. Other priority routes are from the airport to team hotels, hotels to athlone and philippi etc.

The 7 or 8 airport buses will not used reserved lanes but just the existing BMT lane as barriers are not justified for the use of only 7 buses, but I suspect the lane will be strictly enforced at all times during the WC.

Beijing used gate like barriers and in other areas used no barriers.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gQ637iczN3j4/610x.jpg

Is there really a rush? The buses only start arriving in April. Most of the buses only here by end May

I dont understand why they always want to squeeze the stuff and wait till the last minute. They dont think about "WHAT IF"... Beijing finished their preparation way before the Olympics...

^^ that's exactly what one of the city official said...these people think that the stadiums are the sole hosts of the tournament and that is why our CBD still looks like sh!t...Out of 16 hours that a person will be here on a match day, an average of 5 hours will be spend at the stadium and the rest would be at the place of interest...which is supposed to be the CBD...Cape Town and Durbs will be winnders coming to those...

Beijing used gate like barriers and in other areas used no barriers.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gQ637iczN3j4/610x.jpg
Dreaming the impossible dream in SA

Is there really a rush? The buses only start arriving in April. Most of the buses only here by end May
They cutting things too fine. The entire project should have started earlier or progressed faster. I know things usually run smoothly in CT in comparison to other places in SA but to bring a new system just 1 month before the main event? Eish…

Thats exactly my point!

I took these amazing images today :)

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRTap_c.jpghttp://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRTap_b.jpghttp://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRTap_a.jpg

Great pictures of CTIA
Since those were taken, as seen from my visit this week:
*They have begun adding shelter to the tunnels. This so that one does not get wet whilst entering the tunnels by leaving the CTB.
*The steel structure you see in front of the Car Hire facility has been fitted on to the roof.
*Road (black tar) paving is complete, up to the IRT barrier
*Paving around the station and by the big blocks are also complete.

IRT Site at CTIA
Since my previous station pictures:
*Roof V shape complete
*Glass & doors fitted

Site (Sand area to be used for grass)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4441370580_926649fe56_o.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4441370992_b9c7b47b9c_o.jpg

Wonder how it works. Going from the CBD to the airport, you get dropped off at the first station on the left, and those going to the CBD get on the bus at the right hand side of the station.

What about some temporary cover fro the terminal to the station?

Just a reminder of the design
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_14_dec_09_b.jpg

Wonder how it works. Going from the CBD to the airport, you get dropped off at the first station on the left, and those going to the CBD get on the bus at the right hand side of the station.

What about some temporary cover fro the terminal to the station?

I think so. Also not too sure about that...

I hope they put some sort of shelter... It's only logical that they do. They have done this for the tunnels (see new pictures), so something should be done for the station. A shelter leading to the station would change the look of the area; possibly making it more "cluttered".

What about the stretch of road in front of the station? taxis?

Yeah, a lack of shelter would seem rather silly.

is that a USAF KC-10 tanker in teh back of the last picture of the airport?

Wow amazing, how the hell - did you have your little jet-pack on or what??! Awesome pics....gives you a good overview of the project!!

Thanks Andrew for the updates.

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8320/irtapc.jpg

Cant help wonder how the bus traffic flow work?

Look at Red arrow above i would assume the bus will travel. but at question mark(?) wonder if there a stop sign that bus can manage without chao and delay or collision each other?

No problem; I needed to do my monthly update at some point :)

Paarden Eiland IRT Station
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_mlnton.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_mlnton.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd_a.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd_a.JPG)

Provided by the http://www.sacities.net/cities/capetown/cape-town-logo.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/default.aspx)

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_civic.jpg

http://www.tfphotography.co.za/images/splash/_50u5613_-_version_2.jpg

Okay, here we go... They have us by the bollocks.


Cape taxi operators to embark on mass action
19 March 2010, 10:02
Concerned that the city's IRT (Integrated Rapid Transit) system will damage their members' businesses, the Western Cape Taxi Alliance (WCTA) is embarking on mass action, starting with a planned taxi strike on Tuesday.

About 500 minibus taxi operators gathered yesterday in Wynberg where alliance leaders condemned the IRT and lamented the continual impounding of minibus taxis.

"No BRT or IRT is going to be implemented while we are alive. Whoever implements it, it will be over our dead bodies," WCTA chairman Mandla Mata said.

Association spokesman Mvuyisi Mente said while there would be no road blockades, protest action would include unannounced mass arrivals of taxis at the airport, Cape Town Stadium, Parliament and the Civic Centre.

"It will be random. We'll go and look at the stadium. Our action will be until after the World Cup," he said.

Mente said the country's move towards bus rapid transport (BRT) systems was a blow to taxi owners, particularly those who bought new vehicles under the government's taxi recapitalisation programme.

Transport and Public Works MEC Robin Carlisle said the mass action call was misplaced.

He had several meetings with various stakeholders including the WCTA, and told them that the IRT would not proceed without their agreement on how it should be implemented, Carlisle said.

"I've urged all taxi groupings to please have one house so I can negotiate with the whole industry. This is their hands. It serves no purpose for them (WCTA) to carry on with mass action," Carlisle said.

Municipal or provincial law enforcement agencies impounded taxis and not his department, Carlisle said, but he stressed that such measures served the interest of taxi operators themselves. He said taxis were impounded for either being without an operating permit or without permission to ply certain routes.

"This leads to taxi violence. It is in the best interest of the industry when action is taken against piracy. I'm disappointed when they (WCTA) do not accept this, but more disappointing is their threat of mass action and strikes," Carlisle said.

City spokeswoman Kylie Hatton said: "Meetings have been held with all minibus taxi associations affected by the implementation of the IRT on the West Coast and the CBD.

"Council is and will engage the industry affected by the implementation of the first phase, as there will be economic opportunities for them within the IRT system. The city envisages the existing public transport industry - scheduled bus and minibus taxis - becoming the operators of the IRT."

aziz.hartley@inl.co.za.


•This article was originally published on page 5 of The Cape Times on March 19, 2010

Its not the majority, its a small minority.

Two taxi operators have already been awarded the world cup shuttle service contract and all other world cup services for R25 million. These two taxi operators account for 65% of transport services in the CBD.

Its called Transpeninsula.

Two taxi operators will also be given contracts for the Bayside route.

"No BRT or IRT is going to be implemented while we are alive. Whoever implements it, it will be over our dead bodies," WCTA chairman Mandla Mata said.

That can be arranged.

That can be arranged.

They're still alive and its already being implemented.

The taxi operators who will run the 2010 service already ran the test event 1 and 2 service

How do you stay so optimistic? I’m hugely optimistic about South Africa but news like this brings me down in a split second.

^^ This ain't Gauteng, taxi boys... Beware the Zille!!! It may just be in your future to have "red tar" running over your graves. HEHE :lol:

How do you stay so optimistic? I’m hugely optimistic about South Africa but news like this brings me down in a split second.

I'm not always optimistic.

I've seen the operator agreements for IRT and they are taxi operator based. IRT has the majority support from taxi operators, so minor groups will always want their way.

Any riots or violence during the WC and they will be treated as terrorists threatening a major event...which means they get eliminated.

Nice to know that PE isn't the only city taking shit from the taxi's. Hope all the cities get their BRT systems sorted out though.

edit

Brand the IRT buses!

IRT Advertising Opportunities

http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/irt-bus-station.jpg?w=357&h=238 (http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/irt-bus-station.jpg)IRT Airport Bus Station

Cape town is launching an Integrated Rapid Transport system that will exhilarate Cape Town by energising the economy and contributing to creating opportunity for all.
The first phase of this system is a bus service that will be launched in November 2010, starting with a network of routes serviced by 16 bus stations and 43 buses.
But as part of their commitment to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the City will utilize the 43 buses and three of the stations to provide transport services that will enhance the World Cup experience.
The opportunity which, in line with FIFA regulations, will first be offered to sponsors and only should they decline the offer, to advertisers not competitors to sponsors, consists of the following:
•Full wrap of the exterior of all 43 buses.
•Interior advertising on all 43 buses.
•Interior advertising at the three stations.
There are two types of buses available (see pictures below).
http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/8x18m-buses.jpg?w=305&h=201 (http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=oohsa.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Foohsa.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F8x18m-buses.jpg)8 x 18m Buses

http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/35x12m-busses.jpg?w=285&h=149 (http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=oohsa.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Foohsa.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F35x12m-busses.jpg)35 x 12m Buses

http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/exterior-12m-buses.jpg?w=500&h=258 (http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/exterior-12m-buses.jpg)Exterior of 12m Buses

http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/exterior-18m-buses.jpg?w=500&h=220 (http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/exterior-18m-buses.jpg)Exterior of 18m Buses

Routes:



http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/airport-to-civic-centre.jpg?w=500&h=270 (http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/airport-to-civic-centre.jpg)Airport to Civic Centre

http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/civic-centre-to-stadium.jpg?w=500&h=338 (http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/civic-centre-to-stadium.jpg)Civic Centre to Stadium

http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/inner-city-loop.jpg?w=418&h=358 (http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/inner-city-loop.jpg)Inner City Loop

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4458929651_0d435fd143_b.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4459709052_c08467f67d_b.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4459711420_65accc5fc0_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/buddyicons/48657007@N03.jpg?1269352560#48657007@N03 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grant49/) Uploaded on March 24, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grant49/archives/date-posted/2010/03/24/)
by GrantP49 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/grant49/)

lol... nov 2010?? that means the fans that is living at the west coast will have a lekke experience with the traffic on the R27!~~

It may be earlier since the stations and roads are on track for end July

So there is going to be no IRT branding on the buses, just advertisements? Bit of a pity that...

Just for the WC period.

I suppose they have no choice. Any "beautification" or "displays" by the city have to come from advertizing revenue. They basically have to milk the branding opportunities so that they can perhaps afford lights on table mountain etc.

What if a bus breaks down?

Dedicated bus lanes separated from normal traffic by concrete barriers are almost complete on the R27 between Paarden Eiland and Blaauwberg. But the new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) infrastructure has got Capetonians asking questions about what will happen if buses break down in their special lanes.

IRT operating companies will work in partnership with bus manufacturers on a well-managed maintenance schedule under strict contractual obligations from the City of Cape Town. This will ensure its vehicles remain in much better condition than citizens have experienced from public transport in the past. However residents are right to note that accidents can and do happen.

The good news is that, unlike cars, IRT buses can easily drive over the concrete delineators separating them from the traffic, because of their large wheels and suspension. In addition the IRT system as a whole will be able to adapt to circumstances in ways that will make it one of the most reliable forms of public transport available.

The IRT is flexible in that its buses can operate both in normal traffic and on dedicated roads that have varying degrees of priority over other road users at intersections.

IRT buses will be able to take a wide range of special measures in the event of an emergency, with help from the central control room that will oversee the entire IRT system in the new Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood. Additionally, unlike cars, the IRT buses are not restricted to their part of the road.

If a bus driver starts having problems they can immediately inform the central control room with an emergency button. The control room will also monitor all the buses on an ongoing basis and may notice that a bus has slowed down in an unexpected way via the GPS tracking system that monitors all buses. The control room will then dispatch assistance, which will be able to make its way rapidly to the scene of the accident by using the dedicated bus lanes.

While waiting, the driver can, if possible, move their bus across the concrete delineators into normal traffic, and then into the road reserve to wait for assistance. If a bus cannot move at all and needs to be towed, buses immediately behind will still be able to pass by moving out of the bus lane and into normal traffic lanes across the concrete delineators.

At the same time, the control room can direct buses that have not yet reached that stretch of bus lane to reroute through the general traffic lane, or through side roads, and then join the IRT lane back at the next intersection.

In order to keep delays at a minimum, if buses are late for any reason the control room can help them to move faster along the route by using the traffic signalling system to give buses a slight priority over ordinary traffic at the pre-signalling systems that are installed before intersections

http://www.sacities.net/cities/capetown/cape-town-logo.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/default.aspx)

First IRT bus drivers in training


After two years negotiating with the local minibus taxi industry, the City of Cape Town is now helping prepare taxi drivers to become the first bus drivers for the IRT system.

The City is working in partnership with Volvo, the company providing the IRT buses, and Transpeninsula Investments, the operating company running IRT bus services for the World Cup, to train 130 new bus drivers for this purpose.

The World Cup IRT service will comprise bus services between the large IRT station at the Civic Centre and IRT stations at the Cape Town International Airport and Cape Town Stadium, as well as a smaller ‘feeder service’ around the city bowl area that will have passengers embarking and disembarking at clearly marked kerbside points.

The drivers are all licensed and experienced but, to be certain they have the necessary skills to deliver a safe and efficient service, they have been required to repeat the full licensing process starting with compulsory training for their learners’ licences. They have already completed their written tests and are now taking driving courses through Volvo for their Code 11 and Code 14 licences, which they are being tested on in batches over several weekends.

The City’s Traffic Department has played a key role in helping this process to run smoothly, providing extra capacity at a testing station to ensure that the drivers’ testing does not come at the expense of residents.

Once basic training and refresher courses are complete the drivers will be given further training in how to use the specialised IRT buses, particularly docking smoothly against stations. The buses and stations are custom-designed to fit together so that their doors open at the same time and passengers can walk between them across a very small gap with no step. Wheelchair users will also be able to move between the station and the bus with ease.

Zainunesha Mohamed, a transport transition specialist working for the City who deals directly with the taxi industry, says the process has been extremely positive and describes how other drivers have been queuing up to be trained after the first group was chosen by operators.

“Everybody’s been saying that it’s not really going to happen, so it was a pie-in-the-sky thing for them, and there was less substance to the discussions. But now you can see it out there,” says Mohamed. “The questions we are getting now are constructive, rather than critical. We can see that the truth about how the system works for everyone will eventually win the day, because people are starting to understand what it’s really about.”

For former drivers the IRT will offer much greater financial security and regulated working conditions, without the pressure of chasing customers and sometimes having to pay rent for the minibus taxis they drive.

Mohamed says training and education will form a key part of the City’s support and will help operators make the transition to a new business approach that has high levels of customer service as its main focus. The City has also provided taxi associations with business, legal and accounting advisors to assist them in setting up companies to fulfil operator contracts in the new system.

http://www.sacities.net/cities/capetown/cape-town-logo.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/default.aspx)

uh...how exactly does one exact an IRT bus at a "kerbside" ....it means you have to jump 0.5m to get to ground level.

http://oohsa.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/8x18m-buses.jpg?w=305&h=201

Cape Town’s IRT 
airport link on track
By: Tracy Hancock
26th March 2010

An integrated rapid transport (IRT) 
 link to Cape Town International 
 Airport will be up and running by May 29, just before soccer fanatics 
from around the world flock to South Africa for the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup.

The airport-to-city link includes the construction of a station and support infrastructure at Cape Town International Airport and the Civic Centre station, valued at R22,5-million. 
Buses will make use of the existing road network, which includes the bus and minibus taxi (BMT) lane along the N2, resulting in travel time savings during peak periods. 
The city has bought seven 12-m airport buses to the value of R13,6-million, which have more space for luggage. Four additional IRT buses will service the airport during peak times.

“It will provide a public transport service which will be a cost-effective form of mass public transport and will be quicker than cars in the peak morning traffic, because of the special BMT lane on the N2,” says the City of Cape Town media manager Kylie Hatton.

To facilitate the inclusion of an IRT station, the design of the airport’s transport plaza, which is directly outside the entrance to the newly built terminal building and serviced by metered taxis and provincial buses, has been enhanced. 
The IRT facilities include provision of two sheltered IRT platforms that enable level boarding onto buses, as well as a waiting area for passengers.

Hatton says that, when FIFA World Cup visitors arrive at Cape Town International Airport, staff will be on hand to explain how the system works, travel information will be made available and tickets will be sold at the airport’s IRT station kiosk.

Buses will generally depart from the airport about every seven minutes. 
After 22:00, and before 06:00, departures will be available and limited to every 15 minutes to 20 minutes.

“The airport link is designed to drop visitors off at the Civic Centre station, in the central business district, from where passengers can use other bus and taxi services to their hotels. 
The route starts at the airport terminal and takes the Airport Approach road to the N2 and then to Hertzog boulevard and ends at the Civic Centre station,” says Hatton.

Edited by: Brindaveni Naidoo

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/cape-towns-irt-airport-link-is-on-route-2010-03-26

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4467628434_618a99feed_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4466854785_7696e624d0_o.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4467630244_3c8a3bf56b_o.jpg

Hi all,

I have just been looking at this thread and wanted to point out a few things. I live near gatwick in the uk and a couple years back they intergrated this BRt system here. Its absolutely great , time and cost saving, but i must point out a few things they did wrong. In some part they built these stupid bus TRACK LANES, which cost millions, and was absolutely pointless. Bus drivers hate driving inside the tracks because they are narrow and they do not in anyway speed up travelling time. Further from that other parts of the BRT have got a simple thick white line, and the lane painted in red. This is much cheaper and by far the best. People actually dont cut across the lanes, as you get a hectic fine.
I really hope that this system wont do the same mistake, there's no need for fancy tracked lanes = high cost =no real advantage

Hi all,

I have just been looking at this thread and wanted to point out a few things. I live near gatwick in the uk and a couple years back they intergrated this BRt system here. Its absolutely great , time and cost saving, but i must point out a few things they did wrong. In some part they built these stupid bus TRACK LANES, which cost millions, and was absolutely pointless. Bus drivers hate driving inside the tracks because they are narrow and they do not in anyway speed up travelling time. Further from that other parts of the BRT have got a simple thick white line, and the lane painted in red. This is much cheaper and by far the best. People actually dont cut across the lanes, as you get a hectic fine.
I really hope that this system wont do the same mistake, there's no need for fancy tracked lanes = high cost =no real advantage

Cape Town is using a hybrid system.

Dedicate lanes at times mix with normal traffic where there is no space for only dedicated lanes.

The red lanes are material which will ensure that with the heavy buses on those lanes, that the maintenance for the next 30 years is not an issue. i.e. the lane can cope with the capacity and demand due to the buses.

In some areas the red material is simply a red dye mixed with the usual tar, where the lane does not require the special concrete/tar.

In other areas there is no red lane at all where there is no competing traffic.

The barriers in place e.g. are not placed everywhere, not along western boulevard to the stadium.

The airport also does not have a red lane or barriers, since it is already a well enforced public transport lane with cameras and hefty fines during peak.

Outside of peak there is no need for airport only buses.

Cape Town is using a hybrid system.

Dedicate lanes at times mix with normal traffic where there is no space for only dedicated lanes.

The red lanes are material which will ensure that with the heavy buses on those lanes, that the maintenance for the next 30 years is not an issue. i.e. the lane can cope with the capacity and demand due to the buses.

In some areas the red material is simply a red dye mixed with the usual tar, where the lane does not require the special concrete/tar.

In other areas there is no red lane at all where there is no competing traffic.

The barriers in place e.g. are not placed everywhere, not along western boulevard to the stadium.

The airport also does not have a red lane or barriers, since it is already a well enforced public transport lane with cameras and hefty fines during peak.

Outside of peak there is no need for airport only buses.

Thanks mo, you know you should be working for zuma , you know about evrything that is happening in sa, you could really help him out...lol

Drove passed the IRT station at civic centre today.. seems like they are running behind schedule or something..!!

yip!

The station seems to be HUGE tho.. Hope they can finish in time. The general city renewal looks awesome in the city with pedestrian friendly paths and bridges. They must just finish the CT station and IRT station in time.. The airport station and green point station looks pretty awesome!

The granger bay station is irritating me. Yeah there is no rush as it is ahead in comparison to others and it wont be used for the WC but still. Wont harm to just complete the thing before the buses arrive so that the public has a clear idea of the finished product.

First IRT service on track for World Cup http://i5.cmail1.com/ei/y/62/8F3/B18/225125/images/w.gifith less than 90 days to go before kick off, the whistle has blown for the World Cup. For Capetonians, the event represents an opportunity for the city to showcase all it has to offer, and for residents to reap the lasting benefits.
One of these will be the beginning of a world-class public transport service that will offer residents and visitors a greater choice and an opportunity to get out of frustrating traffic congestion and poor transport and into a quality public transport service.
The first taste of the City’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system will be during the World Cup, when a transit service will be operational for 49 days from 29 May 2010 to 16 July 2010. Part of this service will be provided using IRT buses, in addition to other buses and taxis and the train service.
The service will be made up of a regular service that will operate daily, together with a match-day service, for the days on which matches are played at Cape Town Stadium. The customised buses that have been ordered for the IRT, and which are currently being completed, will be used for a part of the World Cup transport service.
These will include seven 12-metre buses that will provide a service from the airport to the Civic Centre. The fare for this service will be R50 and the buses have been designed with extra space for visitors to take suitcases and luggage on board. This service will be operational 24 hours a day throughout the World Cup.
Once visitors arrive at the Civic Centre IRT station they will be able to connect to their final destinations making use of an inner-city bus service, hotel shuttles or metered taxis. The airport shuttle will continue after the World Cup, with the buses making use of the BMT lane from the airport.
IRT buses differ from other buses in that they have a high platform, with level boarding from specially designed stations.
Three stations will be operational for the World Cup – the Civic Centre, Airport and Stadium. On match days articulated 18- and 12-metre buses will take spectators from the Civic Centre to the Stadium and back again.
http://i6.cmail1.com/ei/y/62/8F3/B18/225125/images/irtstation.jpg The IRT station at Cape Town International Airport is almost ready for fans. The match day service will start six hours before kick off and continue for four hours after the final whistle, with buses departing every three to five minutes.
These match day services will continue after the World Cup as an event service whenever Cape Town Stadium is used for events.
The operator of the World Cup service is a new company that has been formed by transport operators that have been offering a range of transport services in the Cape Town city bowl. This company will be one of the operators that the City will contract with to offer the IRT service after the World Cup. http://i7.cmail1.com/ei/y/62/8F3/B18/225125/images/irtstation2.jpg ABOVE & BELOW: The new IRT station that will service Cape Town Stadium. http://i10.cmail1.com/ei/y/62/8F3/B18/225125/images/irtstation3.jpg Thumbs up from National Treasury http://i8.cmail1.com/ei/y/62/8F3/B18/225125/images/n.gifational government has signalled its support for Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit system, with a substantial additional allocation in the newly tabled Division of Revenue Bill (DORA).
The Division of Revenue Bill, which will be tabled by the National Treasury in April, includes conditional grants provided by national government to municipalities and provinces.
Cape Town has been allocated R3.3 billion over the next three years in support of the first phase of the Integrated Rapid Transit system from the Public Transport and Infrastructure and Systems (PTIS) grant.
Executive Director of Transport Roads and Major Projects at the City of Cape Town, Mike Marsden, says that this ‘enormous’ additional allocation of R1,8 billion will require the City to put considerable ‘lead time planning in place’ to enable it to spend the allocation.
First IRT bus drivers in training 130 drivers are being trained to drive the new IRT vehicles, that will begin arriving in Cape Town in early April 2010.
The training is being done by the City of Cape Town in partnership with Volvo, the company providing the IRT buses, and Transpeninsula Investments, the operating company running the IRT bus service for the World Cup.
The drivers recruited for the training are all licensed and experienced but, to be certain they have the necessary skills to deliver a safe and efficient service, they have been required to repeat the full licensing process starting with compulsory training for their learners' licences. They have already completed their written tests and are now taking driving courses through Volvo for their Code 11 and Code 14 licences, which they are being tested on in batches over several weekends.
Once refresher courses are complete the drivers will be given further training in how to use the specialised IRT buses, particularly docking smoothly against stations.

Lol, what's the the W?

Monday Apr 12, 2010
It's all hands on deck for Cape Town's hi-tech bus project

There was no Easter break this year for the engineers, foremen and workers building the city's first Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) bus stations.
They worked long hours every day, as they have been doing for months, to finish the first set of bus stations in time for World Cup deadlines.
Alastair Sole, engineer for Group 5, is checking progress on the large, open-air platform of the new Cape Town Stadium station as he explains the complexity of his job.
"I'm in charge of the work on five stations, which consists of between 50 and 60 activities at one time.
"There are a lot of balls to juggle and it's very finicky stuff - in terms of project management it is the most demanding job I've done," he says.
"But the greater the challenge, the more worthwhile it will feel when people are actually using the buses."
The Stadium station has broad grey support columns and open sides with sweeping views of Signal Hill and the Green Point Main Road. Its glass doors will open automatically when a bus docks. Flanking the station are beds of indigenous lilies and reeds. It is more modern and elegant than any other transport facility in Cape Town. Few Capetonians have seen it yet, but they will have an opportunity to use it during and after the World Cup.
The city plans eventually to provide a transport system integrating buses and trains, and to ensure there is a station within 500m of the homes of 75 percent of all passengers. The service will be a network of bus trunk routes and stations, bus feeder services, and cycling and pedestrian lanes.
Sole is supervising the building of the trunk stations to be used by the crowds who will attend World Cup matches - the stations at the airport, Civic Centre, Granger Bay and the stadium. He is also in charge at Woodstock station, one of several on a bus route between the Civic Centre and Blaauwberg.
The service to Blaauwberg is expected to open by the end of the year.
Leaving the stadium station, Sole points out the grey, bumpy tactile paving down the ramp that leads to the ticket office. This bumpy paving will allow blind and partially sighted users to feel their way through the stations, in one of several measures to enable disabled people to use the system. Other measures include level boarding between the buses and the stations.
The ticket office, which is under the new Green Point circle, opens on to the brick paving of the Fan Walk. Bullet-proof glass is to be installed to protect the ticket sellers.
In the parking area, Igsaan Stemmet of Bouvest Construction steps out of the container serving as the site office. "The one difficulty with this project is that it destroys your social life," he says. "You go home, pick up a parcel of food, and come back here, on Saturdays and Sundays as well."
He grins. "But take a housewife - when she makes a pot of food, doesn't she want to see people eat it? In construction, it's the same. We're going to feel very good when people are using what we've built."
The Airport Station, which is just outside the new terminal, is buzzing with activity.
Sabaree Soeker is supervising the rounded aluminium bullnose fascias that will connect the ceilings with the edges of the roof.
He is used to the pressure, he says - his company worked on the construction of the new airport building, and he was sometimes busy from 8am until 3am.
Now he is supervising a crew working at the Civic Centre, the stadium station and other stations on the R27.
Soeker, Sole and the station foreman, Joe Hartzenberg, begin a discussion inside the concrete shell of the ticket booth. "Which goes in first - the electrician or the air con guys? Joe, you'd better have a meeting so we can sort that out quickly," Sole says.
Driving back to the stadium station, he answers calls from the architects and head office.
"This construction game is very much about driving people, motivating them to get the job done," he says.
"If you can't handle that, you won't last very long.
"They reckon it's going to be 15 years before the system is set up across Cape Town. It will take time, but it is going to come.
"It's a life-changing project, building a system to get people around the city."
Weekend Argus

New IRT buses a welcome gift
Rafiq Wagiet | 3 Hours Ago


The City of Cape Town has welcomed the arrival of three of its new IRT buses.

Part of the new transport system is set to be up and running by May, at least four weeks before the Soccer World Cup.

The multi-billion rand transport plan has had its fair share of controversy, with a budget bungle resulting in a multi-million rand shortfall.

But the city’s Elizabeth Thompson said they are now focused on getting the plan off the ground.

“We’ve contracted a service provider driving school to do the training for the city buses. These are the types of buses that will be used for the IRT service for the 2010 World Cup event.”

(Edited by Danya Philander)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4517555118_f76fc9fa67_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4516922621_a5ced64dbb_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/buddyicons/21967655@N08.jpg?1217000200#21967655@N08 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21967655@N08/) Uploaded on April 13, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21967655@N08/archives/date-posted/2010/04/13/)
by skyhighjones (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21967655@N08/)

New shuttle service for CT airport
2010-04-14 14:43

Johannesburg – A new shuttle bus system from Cape Town International airport to the city centre will be made available to travellers visiting the Mother City from May, Acsa said on Wednesday.

"From 29 May 2010, a shuttle bus service will operate between the transport plaza in front of the new central terminal building, and the new civic centre bus station in Hertzog Boulevard," said Acsa spokesperson Deidre Hendricks.

"Buses will depart as often as every six minutes during peak periods, and not more than every 30 minutes during off-peak periods," said Hendricks.

Tickets would be available at the airport's new transport plaza for R50 a trip, she said.

Extensive renovations to Cape Town's airport were set to be completed by the end of April.

According to Hendricks, the improved airport offered travellers a wide range of transport options.

"Facilities include ample parking, easy access to public transport, coaches and shuttles and a safe passage to the new conveniently located consolidated car rental area," she said.

There would be 5 500 covered parking bays and 1 600 open parking bays available as well as a new drop off lane to ease congestion.


- SAPA

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/4512002508_e665484017_b.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4511359891_35f5829215_b.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4511984298_55a4767b65_b.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/4511302459_7e6f2b05fa_b.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4511947012_7cee7546be_b.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4511324525_59f142e598_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/10/buddyicons/50811886@N00.jpg?1115226943#50811886@N00 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenski/) Uploaded on April 11, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenski/archives/date-posted/2010/04/11/)
by warrenski (http://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenski/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4526078112_849efa9d76_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4525449839_b9dd1943e6_o.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4525449265_dbe78e34b8_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/buddyicons/47089921@N00.jpg?1194421726#47089921@N00 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dissol/) Uploaded on April 16, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dissol/archives/date-posted/2010/04/16/)
by dissol2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dissol/)

Saw the buses... they not too spectacular in terms of its appearance being "modern" but they will do the job, and quite a good one provided the driver is well trained.
If all goes according to plan, everything will run smoothly :)

buses are average...2 million each!

Some signage/ branding and it will look much more attractive. In terms of the interior and engine, ah thats going to remain the same.
It will get more exciting once the rest arrive at a later stage

^^ I guess we have to wait and see exactly how the City of Cape Town will brand the BRT system. Although the buses look kinda plain, looking at the R27, the routes are looking mighty First-World first-class. CT's looking like a true developed city.

We'll only see branding post 2010? since they will be wrapped up by sponsors branding during 2010

Totem poles fitted by the Granger Bay station on both sides of the station :)
Seems the test buses came with a whip to speed up production too

Joanne, has kindly taken some images of the stadium station:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pSOzsHmV-rA/S8ofydp0DAI/AAAAAAAAHu8/zvcJvsgQ_RA/s1600/IMG_3540.JPGhttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pSOzsHmV-rA/S8o10QWeLuI/AAAAAAAAHwM/o3yqvCNYCKE/s1600/IMG_3538.JPGhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pSOzsHmV-rA/S8ox60WNz0I/AAAAAAAAHwE/aRbHrfj-tv0/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG

looks better from the outside. quite cold inside

http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05273.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05270.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05269.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05271.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05272.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05275.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05278.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af19/ryebreadcpt/DSC05283.jpg

Talk about cutting it close ...looks like CT will do it!

They still have to paint those columns of the podium, beautify the area, add signs, add artwork!

^^ all that can be done in less that 2 weeks Mo, art work can be done off-site. CT will certainly make it. The only worry now is the train station.

Cape IRT passes critical test http://www.iol.co.za/data/mastheads//mast_1.gif

A milestone in the city's Integrated Rapid Transit project has been passed, and it is now on the fast track to completion.

On Friday, the city tested the alignment of a prototype 18m bus at the Granger Bay bus station to ensure that the months of computer modelling have produced something that works.

If the doors of the bus had not lined up perfectly with those of the station, the city would have had a major problem on its hands.

"It was very exciting," city spokeswoman Kylie Hatton said after the successful test.

"It is awesome to see everything coming together so nicely... to see the happiness of the people who have been working so hard on the project, when everything works first time."

Hatton said the city knew challenges were yet to come, but the successful test caused great excitement after the "months and years of hard work on the project".

"The bus has three doors and they matched up nicely against the Granger Bay station," she said.

The stations are fitted with Kassel kerbs, which allow buses to come right up against the station walls.

Also, the bus manufacturer Volvo had, as instructed, fitted "boarding bridges", which guarantee level boarding and comfortable wheelchair access.

Hatton said all the infrastructure projects geared for World Cup transport would be ready by the time the crowds arrived.

The ticket kiosk at the Granger Bay station was installed yesterday, and other stations would be completed over the next month.

Bus delivery was on schedule, and batches of buses would begin arriving weekly from next month.

The buses have been built in Brazil by Volvo and shipped to Marco Polo in Joburg, where they are being assembled before going for testing at the SA Bureau of Standards.

As the first buses begin arriving, Capetonians will also see the new system's branding.

Hatton did not want to reveal more, but said there would be "red and grey, but also blue to bring out the Cape Town feel of the ocean and environment".

"The buses have quality finishes and feel professional. (Using them) makes you feel special, which is important... for people to feel a sense of dignity when using the system. Inside are quality spaces where people will feel comfortable and safe."

All IRT road infrastructure was also on track.

Picture gallery

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_a.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_a.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_b.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_b.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_c.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_c.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_d.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_d.jpg)



http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_e.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_e.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_f.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_f.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_g.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_g.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_h.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_h.jpg)




http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_i.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_i.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_j.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_j.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_k.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_k.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_l.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_l.jpg)



http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd_aa.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_paardeneilnd_a.JPG) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_mlnton.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/IRT_18_mar_09_mlnton.jpg) http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_m.gif (http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/PublishingImages/IRTGallery/Sta_Apr_10_m.jpg)

those stations are all smack bang in the middle of nowhere!?!? good luck having to walk to those in the wind and rain!

There are a few stations in industrial areas, where people actually work.
The remaining ones are on the highly congested route to Bayside.

The station and system also acts as an incentive to develop around the stations.

Here is the map:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Documents/IRT%20West%20Coast%20routes%20(large)%20City-Atlantis.pdf

There are a few stations in industrial areas, where people actually work.
The remaining ones are on the highly congested route to Bayside.

The station and system also acts as an incentive to develop around the stations.

Here is the map:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Documents/IRT%20West%20Coast%20routes%20(large)%20City-Atlantis.pdf

So according to that map, if I lived on, say, High Level Road in Sea Point I could get a feeder bus to the Civic Centre station and then get a bus from there to anywhere along Sir Lowry Road? :) Or would that become available in the later phases?

Only West Coast routes and Inner city routes in Phase 1.

West Coast including, Woodstock Station before its crosses over the N1.

Since funds are now secured for Phase 1 I assume feeder buses will be purchased early 2011, now that the feeder bus stop designs are about to be finalized.

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/FIFA2010/Newsandmedia/PublishingImages/stad_23apr_b.jpg

Nice view. I must say I'm not a huge fan of the haphazard landscaping around CTS. Why couldn't they have chosen a single theme and stuck with it?? Would of looked much better with a unified pattern of paving IMO

Most of the green areas or trees have been there forever, and they dictate the shape of certain spaces.

The "new" green aspects seem a bit haphazard including silly things like adding trees near the approach to the circle blocking/diverting crowds down one path.

The paving follows a single pattern, of orange with strips of darker red paving continued across most of the surrounds.

This image may help.

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/FIFA2010/Newsandmedia/PublishingImages/stad_23apr_a.jpg

^^ Remember... almost everything in Cape Town is old old old. Mo is right, the landscaping was dictated mostly by existing roads, structures and trees. For example, all the Ficus and Eucalyptus trees where there from the start. Unlike SC Stadium or MM Stadium, where most of the precinct's landscaping started from scratch.

Cape Town proper seldom has straight lines, roads that keep the same name, or wide boulevards... simply because, it's old.

The paving pattern aerially provides a nice "connecting" fabric or texture but fro the ground level its the spaces and use of them that dictates the feel.

We should we some minor commercial elements added to the stadium and surrounds like stalls,stands, fan shops etc. As pretty as it is, the site needs to be used and attract customers.

Think I'll open up a restaurant under the circle! with tables around the inside of the circle! :)

Think I'll open up a restaurant under the circle! with tables around the inside of the circle! :) You can't... I thought that was mooted as "Lydon's underpass!" :nuts:

I absolutely love it!!!

my customers need Lydon's services too!

Divide and conquer is my motto :)

That picture looks absolutely amazing. Seems just yesterday the renders of the urban park and stadium were released looking just like that.

In a way, I'm looking forward to after the wc too, then we will see more happening to the surrounding area, shops, restaurants etc

For now, we waiting for the end of May to go LIVE :)

Looks like CT's got tent fever too! I still just can't seem to find consistency with the landscaping, don't get me wrong its got nice clean lines and is somewhat attractive but I find zero continuity (from the air atleast). I also don't see why having old trees should be an excuse for haphazard landscaping.. Anyway from closer views it seems to flow a lot better, which I guess it what counts anyway

And I'm sure you guys will disagree with me until you're blue in the face but it's just my opinion!

^^ No, without a doubt, you're right. People's Park in Durban has a much cleaner design with better sight lines. But, in Cape Town, it was absolutely impossible to do so. Granger Bay Circle, old Green Point Stadium, old trees (that are so close together, you can't make paths through them) and the existing Metropolitan Golf Course made it virtually impossible to plan the Green Point Urban Park in the same way Durban could do theirs.

With what they had to work with, I won't complain... it still is a jewel and now Cape Town has two major green lungs, Company Gardens and this... that is one majorly "green" city.

Its all wonderful. Walked along the main boulevard towards the lighthouse!

Its quite wide and it goes on and on and on....

Walked the whole Fan Mile today from Castle past Grand Parade to Station Square up Waterkant onto Pretswich Memorial site and through to Somerset road, under the cirle and onto the Stadiums Ante - Square. Observation was that the Fan mile part has destinct zones (Waterkant up to the bridge, Prestwhich Memorial, Upper part of Somerset, Lower part of Somerset/Main after Gallows Hill) all of which are linked by certain material similarities and typologies bit are distinctally different and offer different but connected sense of place. That said I was disapointed with some parts of Waterkant (particularly where some of the bordering buildings have no interface with the street) with the lack of real pedestrianisation on the upper part of Somerset and particuarly with the fact that nothing has been done about the train wreck which is the underground mall (particualrly where it forms the route under Strand). That says I was impressed to see work continueing on the public holiday and with the sense of comfort I had along the route. Ill post pics some time.

I too think it's rather haphazard. Moses's surrounds look awesome. But unfortunately it just wasn't possible to construct something similar without all hell breaking loose. On the bright side I guess it makes things more interesting on the ground.

Walked the whole Fan Mile today from Castle past Grand Parade to Station Square up Waterkant onto Pretswich Memorial site and through to Somerset road, under the cirle and onto the Stadiums Ante - Square. Observation was that the Fan mile part has destinct zones (Waterkant up to the bridge, Prestwhich Memorial, Upper part of Somerset, Lower part of Somerset/Main after Gallows Hill) all of which are linked by certain material similarities and typologies bit are distinctally different and offer different but connected sense of place. That said I was disapointed with some parts of Waterkant (particularly where some of the bordering buildings have no interface with the street) with the lack of real pedestrianisation on the upper part of Somerset and particuarly with the fact that nothing has been done about the train wreck which is the underground mall (particualrly where it forms the route under Strand). That says I was impressed to see work continueing on the public holiday and with the sense of comfort I had along the route. Ill post pics some time.

The Adderley Street pedestrian crossing is an alternative to the underground mall. The underground mall is being retiled.

^^ Yeah I figured the Pedestrian Crossing would help, But saw none of the tiling happening.

^^ Yeah I figured the Pedestrian Crossing would help, But saw none of the tiling happening.
Golden Acre/Strand Street Underpass being retiled

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4499501502_b4c8b337df.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4498866713_1c57411a54.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4499501090_51eb2517a3.jpg

Very overdue, so glad some type of improvement is going ahead.

^^ Cool dont know how I missed it but cool

Cape Town gets smart

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/PublishingImages/News%20Images/Tpurch.jpg
Cape Town will be one of the first cities in the world to use a large-scale automatic fare payment system for its new public transport service based on contactless debit and credit cards issued by South African banks.

This ‘smart card’ system will be an integral part of the city’s new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) network when it is launched around the end of 2010. Its open access makes it a significant upgrade from the closed proprietary technology based payment systems used for public transport in other major international cities.

The first major difference will be that the cards used in the IRT system will be compatible with the point of sale (POS) devices that can be found in most shops, allowing them to be easily loaded with credit, or even used to pay for goods and services.

The second important factor will be that the cards can be branded and issued by any institution that issues payment cards that conform to the specifications of MasterCard Worldwide and Visa International, including, for example chain stores. The only difference is that the cards used on the IRT will also have a special piece of electronic data added to them. This standardised data structure has been created by the National Department of Transport and will be freely available for integration onto all cards.

The cards will have all the usual functionality and benefits of an electronic payment system making it easy for large numbers of people to move very quickly in and out of the IRT system through stations, providing better security for operators and users, providing detailed data on passenger movements and significantly reducing the cost of handling transactions. They also allow for distance-related fares, with users tapping their card each time they enter or leave a station and only being charged when they leave the system altogether.

But on top of these standard features the system in Cape Town will have a number of added advantages that arise from not using a proprietary, closed system.

To begin with, it will make banks responsible for handling all of the financial risk associated with the system, and updating the data security of the cards, which means that the system will never go out of date. In return for this, the banks will earn a small amount from the City for each transaction, which will still be much lower than the costs of handling cash.

The second advantage will be interoperability with all modes of public transport, no matter who the operator is, together with a host of additional services, for example parking, road tolls and bicycle hire. The system will eventually be deployed at all major public transport systems in the country, which will be very useful for tourists, and people travelling between cities.

But because the payment cards are actually simplified bank accounts and can be used in any shop, they will have an impact beyond transport. For some Capetonians, especially youth, their smart card will be their first ever bank account, and provide an important introduction to the country’s banking system.

The cards will be sold at a wide variety of outlets, with the City aiming to get as many cards into use as possible. Although it will be possible to get a card that is directly linked to a normal bank account, most cards will be sold on their own, without needing to sign any forms. Currently, the cost of a new card is around R22, but this may be subsidised, for example through advertising. While people will still be able to use cash, there will be cost penalties for this.

Although Johannesburg has also begun preparations to launch the new smart card system in their Rea Vaya BRT system, Cape Town’s IRT is set to be the first city in South Africa where it will be used. The consultants working with the City of Cape Town are the same people working with the National Department of Transport on preparing the national implementation of the system and have made enough progress in their preparations to launch it at the same time as a full IRT service begins operating, although paper tickets will still be used as an interim measure during the FIFA World Cup™.


Martin Pollack 2010/04/29

^^ Doing it better, doing it faster!!! :banana:

Disclaimer... except for Gautrain. Nobody can compete with that beast! :)

This is great news. But when? WHEN?

November

November

:banana:

http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7517.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7515.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111458/md_IMG_7202.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111458/md_IMG_7191.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7521.JPG


http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7500.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7216.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7217.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7474.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7474.JPG
http://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7479.JPGhttp://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7470.JPGhttp://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7193.JPGhttp://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7206.JPGhttp://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7207.JPGhttp://www.sportzpics.net/image_dir/album111461/md_IMG_7213.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bR2_ZI1-16I/S92sLDzdVRI/AAAAAAAAAQc/YYBs4rFTbv4/s1600/Rapid+bus+small.jpgSource: http://greenpointgreenie.blogspot.com

I just saw one of the new busses along the N1 coming into town. Got all warm and fuzzy inside...

:banana:

To ensure the viability and financial sustainability of Phase 1A the following revisions are proposed to optimize and reduce any potential operational costs:

- Additional Trunk Route into Montagu Gardens (little additional infrastructure)
- Feeder Link between Du Noon and Montagu to Century City
- Feeder Link between the R27 and Century City
- Minor route revisions in the Inner City

These revisions ensure that the system route support the movements and requirements of the workforce in the region, so as to improve revenues.

The above revisions are as a result of transport modelling, based on the West Coast to Century City region.

Media Alert: City Unveils New Branded Integrated Rapid Transit Buses
5 May 2010
SOURCE: City of Cape Town (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/eng/your_gov/12107)
The City of Cape Town will on Thursday unveil the first of its branded buses for the new Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system. During the unveiling of the first buses, which arrived in the city earlier in the week, the City will announce the brand identity that has been chosen for the new public transport system.Welcoming the buses to Cape Town and unveiling the brand will be the Executive Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson, Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects, members of the City's Transport, Roads and Major Projects Portfolio Committee and representatives of the bus drivers currently being trained to operate the vehicles.
Members of the media will be briefed on the development of the IRT's new brand, while being offered the opportunity to interact with some of the trainee bus drivers who will operate these vehicles.
All media are welcome to attend.
Date: Thursday 06 May
Time: 12:00
Venue: Granger Bay IRT Station, Granger Bay Boulevard, Cape Town
Note: Parking is available in the parking lot next to Green Point Circle. From the parking lot members of the media can walk to Granger Bay Bus Station.
Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town

Please don't be Dassiebus. Please don't be Dassiebus. Please don't be Dassiebus. Please don't be Dassiebus. :)

I'd like to go to the press briefing tomorrow.

Can someone please go to the press briefing and bring us photos.

The best brand is always the simplest.

e.g. Just call it something simple, even Cape Town GoGo.

Brand all Inner City buses bright blue, the West Coast buses, bright red etc.

Too many colours and dots and lines and frills.


A "blue bus" could become part of the Cape Town brand.

I'm going. Will take my camera along.

Personally, I feel that the system should have a boring name. Rea Vaya is the exception. I really like that.

I'm going. Will take my camera along.

Personally, I feel that the system should have a boring name. Rea Vaya is the exception. I really like that.

i-bus
irt-bus
bus of hope
atlantic bus
kaap bus
cape bus
people bus
zille bus
rapido!
geintegreerde vervoer stelsnelsel?
superbus
metro bus
i-busi-busi
blitzbus

Just Call it CapeTRANS

I do not want some lame-ass, cheezy name, one that makes it sound like everyone who rides on it is in pre-primary.

i-bus
irt-bus
bus of hope
atlantic bus
kaap bus
cape bus
people bus
zille bus
rapido!
geintegreerde vervoer stelsnelsel?
superbus
metro bus
i-busi-busi
blitzbus

Cape Bus, I choose you. Great to see CT moving a long nicely, I can't to see the system up and running.

Cant wait to see the final design. Going to try my best to be there :)

I go for IRT-Bus. Irt is something you do after smoking buttons, isn’t it? Pretty appropriate for Cape Town. :)

But seriously though, IRT-Bus. Or Metro Bus.

I'm going. Will take my camera along.

Personally, I feel that the system should have a boring name. Rea Vaya is the exception. I really like that.


Thanks UR.

i-bus
irt-bus
bus of hope
atlantic bus
kaap bus
cape bus
people bus
zille bus
rapido!
geintegreerde vervoer stelsnelsel?
superbus
metro bus
i-busi-busi
blitzbus

Ma se Bus
Mother City Busway
Cape Metropolitan Busway

Metro Mover :) Short and sweet.

^^ Guys, thanks for going out to the launch today. Don't blow away!!! :) Our first big winter storm of the season has arrived.

It's called MyCiTi. disappointing.

Wow the rain stopped abruptly at 12pm! Hope it holds out for a bit for the launch. Itching to see pics!

It's called MyCiTi. disappointing.

I actually like it :)

I actually like it :)

Ja it's growing on me. Especially after they explained it. Pics soon!

Ja it's growing on me. Especially after they explained it. Pics soon!

Can you explain it to us please Rambler. Can't wait to see the pics.

:) Im guessing its the C and T out of 'MyCiTi'...My CT...I like!

"MySeeTee" :P

The SABC news presenters will have no problem with that one.

^^ :lol: Actually, do not mind the name either. It's international too... not difficult to pronounce, English based, so the tourists and locals alike will "get it." Just glad it isn't something infantile like, iBusiBusi or MyBus or GoGo. Now... we want to see pics?! :)

Yes I'm really stoked for pics!

Exactly – my CT, my see tee, my city. Ol muggins here left his camera cable at home so I will only be able to upload photos this evening. The logo is a little bit lame. It’s basically My CiTi in blue with a red ribbon (which represents the dedicated lanes) resembling Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head running through it. I like the idea but not the execution. This is no London Underground roundel, I tell you. The whole concept of the design is pretty good. It represents taking ownership of our city via public transport, of having freedom of movement. The slogan is “Going places” and “Laat wiel”. I forget the Xhosa version. Buses are grey with blue and red livery from the logo. They feel a bit cramped (these were the non-articulated ones) but quite modern and comfortable. Overall, I like it. Pics later. And a new blog post too!

Oh duh, I have a press pack. Xhosa is “Siyajikeleza”.

Argh you're killing me here :lol:

But sounds good overall! Stoked to see them on our roads soon.

Wait, I'll upload a pic from the media kit. Give me a sec...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_18sRc095bYk/S-Kyd5-UQFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MrrCkKfumrs/s800/MYCiTi%20branded%20bus%20-%20front%20view.jpg

I will remove this later when I've uploaded my own images.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_18sRc095bYk/S-Kyd5-UQFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MrrCkKfumrs/s800/MYCiTi%20branded%20bus%20-%20front%20view.jpg

I will remove this later when I've uploaded my own images.

crap

Hmmm...can't say I'm a huge fan. I actually like the logo, but I think they opted for too much grey.

I agree. It doesn't stand out enough. Looks like a long distance bus not a commuter bus. We didn't actually see any bendy buses, only the normal sized ones. I've got some pics of the interior as well. You can expect them around 7.30pm. :)

Definitely the most positive thing about the press briefing was that the City emphasised their intentions to make the MyCiTi brand an integral part of Cape Town, like red buses in London or yellow cabs in New York. Watch E news tonight. I saw Paula Chowles there. I think there will be a small segment about MyCiTi.

Ew. Wow I'm disappointed. What a choice of colours and name.

The design looks old fashioned. Not good when you're trying to convince people to start using this new and modern service...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_18sRc095bYk/S-Kyd5-UQFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MrrCkKfumrs/s800/MYCiTi%20branded%20bus%20-%20front%20view.jpg

I will remove this later when I've uploaded my own images.

Beautiful, well done Kaapstad. I can promise you that you just negetive because it's new but you will like it as time goes by. Colours are nice even though they don't fit well with CT :banana:

I'm posetive that your comments will be posetive once you see Urban Rambler's pics.

Why did they not just make the whole thing blue or red. This is hideous.

Beautiful, well done Kaapstad. I can promise you that you just negetive because it's new but you will like it as time goes by. Colours are nice even though they don't fit well with CT :banana:

I'm posetive that your comments will be posetive once you see Urban Rambler's pics.

Im with Pule on this one. Although I think they could have done 101 different things, its a massively good step in the right direction and with this design they have space to grow and integrate it with stations, etc.

I dont think the colour of the bus is going to deter anyone on the route from using it. If it were up and running today, I can name a dozen people who would be queing for tickets.

Cant wait for more pics!

I agree that it should have been just blue or just red, but it's really not that bad. You'll get used to it. Wait for them pics! There's a lot less grey on the smaller buses. Well, obviously. :)

Also, the red ribbon in the logo will change depending on the mode of transport. Dial-a-ride services might, for example, have a green ribbon, whereas the cycle lane might have a purple ribbon. It's very reminiscent of Transport for London. As a branding exercise, MYCiTi is very good (even if I've never been a fan of mixed caps and lowercase in titles), but admittedly the design falls a bit short of the vision.

Ironically, the briefing started late because one the City's officials was held up in talks over the Metrorail strike. Classic times.

I assume that this is one of the airport shuttles?

I think the smaller buses will look a whole lot better due to less grey. But yeah...still disappointed.

its shit. looks cheap, old fashioned, boring. looks like a crappy version of a greyhound. it really should have stood out.

e-mail irt @capetown.gov.za to tell them that the brand sucks.

From Bush Radio 89.5 fm's news blog

Cape Town names its rapid transit buses

By Khanyisa Tabata
06 May 2010

Cape Town has unveiled the name, brand and colours for its new integrated rapid transit system. The first buses arrived in the city earlier this week.

The project has been dubbed My City. It will focus on creative ideas in Cape Town concerning ownership.

City spokesperson Kylie Hatton says the new public transport system will be known as MYCiTi.

"We hope users of MYCiTi will feel a sense of belonging and ownership when they are passengers or refer to the service. This name identifies a user-friendly service which transports people safely, conveniently, reliably and helps them avoid being stuck in traffic.

"As the IRT rolls out across Cape Town in the coming years, it aims to be much more than a transport system, it must give citizens a sense of control, ownership, greater choice, mobility and access to opportunities, " said Hatton.

The name MYCiTi is multilingual, easy to use for Capetonians and visitors alike, and unique to Cape Town with its play on the city’s name.

The logo shape is aligned to the City's corporate identity. The red ribbon in the logo is an abstract interpretation of Devil's Peak, Table Mountain and Lion's Head and also resembles the red roads that MyCiTi buses will use as they weave through Cape Town.

The font or letter type is bold to easily identify the system while the colour palette is warm and approachable. The inspiration is drawn from the many colours of the deep blue ocean that surrounds the Cape Peninsula. The accent colour red represents red IRT roads, but is also symbolic of the connections that the system will offer to all its passengers across the city.

The launch was attended by Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects who said the city believes the exhilaration of this new brand design matches that of the Cape Town experience.

The slogan, ‘siyajikeleza, laat wiel, going places’ is obviously related to transport, but it also represents other themes central to the IRT service including a sense of achievement and of going places in one's life.

Ha!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_18sRc095bYk/S-Kyd5-UQFI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MrrCkKfumrs/s800/MYCiTi%20branded%20bus%20-%20front%20view.jpg

I will remove this later when I've uploaded my own images.

10 points for using the exact same colours as the new Prasa buses.

http://www.prasa.com/Images/ContentPhoto5.jpg