Major R1,3 Billion Transport Plan for the Bay

It has recently been decided that a rather ambitious yet fantastic plan to implement an integrated public transport system worth R1,3 billion is ahead for the Soccer World Cup in 2010.

The national transport department has already given the Port Elizabeth approximately R500 million towards the project. It is hoped that the remainder of the funding needed will come from either provincial or national government.

This phenomenal plan involves building dedicated bus as well as taxi lanes. The city will be divided into 5 routes, with a different operator responsible for each route.

Other cities that have already successfully implemented the integrated transport system, also known as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, include Bogota and Pareira  in Columbia.

While in Colombia, the Mayor signed an agreement with the Columbian government which will see the authorities of the country providing the Nelson Mandela Bay with technical support as well as expertise on how to implement the system. They will be using their experience in providing an efficient and correct BRT system.

Part of the BRT project involves dividing the Nelson Mandela Bay‘s routes into 5 corridors. The main route, known as the Khulani Corridor, will be completed by 2010 to make the transit of passengers to and from the stadium a smooth one. The corridor links the main road networks in Kwazakhele, Motherwell as well as New Brighton to the city centre via Korsten.

Major infrastructure will be built, including dedicated bus and taxi lanes, bus stops, pavements, shelters, kerbside loading areas as well as interchanges in Korsten and Njoli Square to be developed. The 5 main routes will be operated by 5 companies, each comprising bus and taxi operators.

In addition, city officials will be locked in ongoing meetings with all taxi associations operating on the envisaged corridors. The Algoa Bus Company‘s single contract to provide the entire city with transport will be broken to accommodate the other 4 players.

A single ticketing model will be developed which will reward buses and taxi owners according to trips made in one day. In this way, taxi drivers will have less incentive to overload as they will not make money based on how many passengers they could get into a vehicle.

Continuous development and improvement in Port Elizabeth is ever on the increase.