Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Cape Town World Cup Transport - How to Get to the GreenPoint Stadium By Tessa Du Toit

At last, official information is available on Shuttles, Park-and-Ride and Walkways to reach the Cape Town Stadium on match days - hot-off-the-press from a networking session with Cape Town City management!
In a nutshell:
If you are thinking of travelling in a private vehicle to the Stadium, there is no way this will be permitted. Furthermore, if you are thinking of using private tour operators, unless they have registered and gained accreditation with the appropriate FIFA organisers, the same restrictions to access apply.
So...Here are tips on how to get there... (worth mention is that most of the transport options are free with a soccer ticket).
Shuttles:
Stadium Shuttles operate between the main transport hub at the Cape Town Civic Centre and two loading points at the stadium. Shuttles will operate from 4 hours before an event until 4 hours after the time of the final whistle. Use of this shuttle is free with a match ticket.
Special Needs Shuttle: This shuttle will operate from the main Civic Centre transport hub directly into the stadium grounds, for the use of those with mobility impairments and accompanied by one carer only. Contact transport.info@capetown.gov.za to book a place on this shuttle.
Airport Shuttle: The Airport Shuttle will operate daily and take people to the main Civic Centre transport hub, from which they can take another shuttle to the stadium on match days, or link onto an Inner City Shuttle to get to various parts of the city. This airport shuttle costs R50 p.p. one way and is integrated with flight schedules to run every 6 to 30 minutes.
Inner City Shuttle: These operate on 4 circular routes around the inner city. The cost of this shuttle is R8 per trip or based on distance travelled. There are several shuttle pick-up points on the circular route so that visitors can get around the city. These route maps will be available on the Cape Town City website under 2010/ Getting around.
These routes include:

  • Civic Centre to Waterfront and Sea Point* along the Atlantic seaboard to Queens beach - cost based on distance travelled;




  • Inner City Bowl area* - cost R8 per trip and scheduled every 10- 30 mins;




  • UCT to the Civic centre (on match dates only) - Cost free of charge with match ticket;




  • Atlantic seaboard service (on match dates only): Houtbay to Granger bay. This is a pay as you go service based on the distance travelled. Please note: this is good news for those travelling from Houtbay as this shuttle goes directly to the stadium - no need to go to the Civic Centre hub!!



  • * On non-match days and after the World Cup, the Inner City Shuttles will continue to operate as a Hop-On Hop-Off system to get around our beautiful city.
    Park-And- Ride: Transport to the city includes 25 Metro Rail stations with Park-and-Ride facilities. 10 of these stations, specially identified as World Cup Park-and-Ride stations, will have additional parking facilities, event related activities, refreshments, lighting, toilet facilities and security until 12h30 or 01h00 on match days. All train tickets are free, on the date of your soccer ticket.
    So the key is to find Cape Town holiday accommodation near these 10 stations: These Metro Rail stations are Fishhoek, Retreat, Ottery, Claremont, Goodwood, Century City, Brackenfell, Oostersee, Kuilsriver and Strand.
    For additional information, contact the Call Centre: 0800 656463
    Walk to the Stadium: The anticipated Fan Walkway from the Civic Centre is about 2.5km and is still under construction, but when completed will be a very attractive and safe route. With all things considered, this is possibly the best option to take as it avoids queues and waiting for the Civic Centre shuttle. Walking will take you less than 30 minutes.
    Tour Operators will be able to find parking space at designated areas in the CBD near the main Civic Centre transport hub. Tour groups are encouraged to use the Hospitality or Match packages that will facilitate integration of transport on various accredited shuttles.
    To Summarise
    This will be a spectacular event with all the fanfare and razzmatazz of doing something new and exciting - not to speak of being LOUD.
    Enjoy the ride.......... and plan ahead to make sure that you take jackets, raincoats and some of your own favourite refreshments to make the journey easier as there will be queues and delays. Remember that no refreshments will be permitted into the stadium, and rumour has it that you shouldn't carry a pointed umbrella as this may be classed as a weapon!!!
    Watch this space for more information as the final touches are put together to make this World Cup a grand event. The structure of transport arrangements of the city are still in transition and will be evaluated at each of the remaining test events at the stadium.
    Browse business and holiday accommodation in and around Cape Town South Africa.
    Find Cape Town holiday accommodation that is perfect for FIFA World Cup with http://www.capeplace2stay.co.za Book direct with the guest house owner for self-catering or bed and breakfast (B&B) apartments, cottages and boutique hotels at budget prices. ezinearticle.com

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