Transport

Transportation is a fundamental necessity in the success and development of a city. It is also vital for the successful hosting of a mega event such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. In line with this, Durban is upgrading its facilities and improving accessibility and mobility in and around the city centre. The goal is to create a more internationally friendly travel destination as well as a more livable city for residents.

Public Transport Lanes

• Designated public transport lanes are being created on the southern part of the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Freeway (M4) as well as on the N3 motorway to free up traffic and speed up general mobility. It is the City of Durban’s philosophy to promote public transport over private and as such dedicated public lanes are being implemented where appropriate.
• Creating a public transport lane involves removing the central median island, which will be replaced with a concrete central median island. This will provide sufficient space to create an additional lane that will be used for public transport. On the M4 this lane will extend from the Congella Pedestrian Bridge to the Quality Street Bridge. Construction is estimated to take 15 months and will begin in the third quarter of 2008.

The Inner City Distribution System

• This new inner city distribution system is already in its trial phase of operation, moving Durban towards a new, safe public transport system that works. The first phase involved the launch of the People Mover buses. These are attractive buses with large windows which travel along two designated routes within the city. Departing every 15 minutes between 06:00 and 23:00, the wheelchair-friendly ‘People Mover’ already offers a reliable, regular service to 30 000 people per month. It is also safe – the bus driver has a panic button linked to a security centre.
• The first phase service is expected to be expanded to incorporate the existing inner city taxi operations as a sustainable model. Negotiations are currently in progress to define the nature of this service and the business model. It is anticipated that this service will be operational by December 2009.
• In time, the existing ‘People Mover’ service will be expanded into a broader public transport inner city system, with large sections of travel in dedicated busway lanes. The service will cover the city from the beachfront through to Warwick Junction and from Margaret Mngadi Road through to the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
• Second phases will extend into the Berea, Riverside and Umbilo, with high capacity links into the Umlazi, Chatsworth, KwaMashu, Inanda, Clermont and Pinetown areas.

Warwick Junction Infrastructure

• This major transport hub is being revamped, reorganized and reconfigured, to become a multi-modal transport precinct with better safety and efficiency, plus improved access. The restructuring of the area will also encourage sustainability of the existing economic activity.
• The first projects to be implemented are as follows:
• Traffic flows will be rationalized and private cars will be rerouted over the flyover, so that mainly buses or taxis will be allowed through Warwick Junction. The inbound flyover, which will relieve traffic loading on intersections, will be completed by December 2009
• Public transport ranks and pedestrian facilities will be enhanced, with the removal of vehicular / pedestrian conflicts
• New retail areas are being incorporated, accommodating the area’s more than 12 000 traders as well as the retail requirements of Warwick Junction visitors

Park and Ride

• Park and Ride facilities are part of a medium-term strategy that will dovetail into the needs of the 2010 transport requirements. These facilities, which will minimize congestion and exhaust emission pollution, includes the following elements:
• A link to the rail services through to the city and stadium: Park and Rides will be established at key stations on the lines where people can park and board trains to 2010 FIFA World Cup™ events
• A link to shuttle services: Various remote-parking pools that already exist will be used, enabling spectators to travel to the stadium and fan park areas
• A ‘Park and Walk’ rather than a Park and Ride: This system will use existing inner city parking pools from which spectators can either walk safely or travel on the ‘People Mover’

King Shaka Aiport

• Situated to the north of the city in La Mercy, this new airport will form a definitive and necessary link between Durban and the rest fo the country/world,a llowing for both national and international access.

Centralised public transport information call centre

• Situated in the city centre, the call centre will service commuters and tourists, providing them with travel option information. The first phase of the call centre system will be operational in the first quarter of 2009, whilst the full call centre system will be operational in the third quarter.

Road Network CCTV Monitoring and Surveillance

• This system will be used to monitor security and traffic incidents in the city so that appropriate action can be taken.

Road Traffic System

• A solar-powered LED traffic light programme, currently being developed, is expected to save Durban approximately 13,6 million kilowatt-hours per annum, a reduction of 90% of current traffic light electricity usage. It will also ensure that, should there be power interruptions, traffic flow will continue smoothly. Negotiations are currently underway to establish a private/public arrangement to target pointsmen at key intersections, ensuring that there are increased resources to deal with signalized intersections should the need arise.

Non Motorized Transport

• However, motorized transport is not the only way to travel: The city is also developing pedestrian and cycle paths in the city.