South Africa: Bombela in Bid to Meet World Cup Deadline - BOMBELA, the Gautrain concessionaire, said yesterday it had put forward a cheaper option which would see the first phase of the rail link completed in time for next year's Soccer World Cup. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Abia to Construct Ring Road in Aba - The Abia State government has said that it is constructing a ring road that will service the Aba industrial in the state, governor Theodore Orji has said. [AA Construction]

South Africa: Road Agency Scaling Back Its Projects in Johannesburg - THE Johannesburg Roads Agency yesterday said budget cuts had forced it to scale back some road projects and "reprioritise" others in the country's richest city, which is battling with backlogs on capital projects and maintenance. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Federal Govt Flags Off Construction of Abuja-Keffi Expressway Flyover - The Federal Government as part of concerted efforts to tackle the perennial traffic problems along the Abuja - Keffi Expressway has flagged of the construction of a multibillion naira flyover on the expressway. The contract for the construction of the flyover to be located at the Mogadishu cantonment (Abacha Barracks) has been awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited, and is to be constructed at the cost of N5 billion. The FCT Minister, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero who flagged off the construction disclosed that the flyover as well as other channelization works at Mogadishu Cantonment/Sunrise Hills Estate would be completed within a period of eighteen months. Senator Aliero disclosed that the contract is based on Public-Private-Partnership arrangement between the FCT administration and Sunrise Estate Development Limited, a subsidiary of Setraco Nigeria Limited, whereby the administration would provide the initial down payment of 15 percent of the project cost while the contractor would co-finance it to completion.

Uganda: Sort Out This Mess On Kampala Roads - For a capital city, the state of Kampala's roads is appallingly inapt and an embarrassment. With the current heavy rains, potholes are increasing by the day. At peak hours, commuter cars, private cars, heavy trailers, boda boda cyclists and pedestrians have to compete on the narrow roads, making driving in Kampala an agonising inconvenience. [AA Urbanisation]

Rwanda: City Embarks on Roads Upgrade - The roads construction project that is going to see 36 kilometres of roads in and around Kigali either built or renovated was launched yesterday in Kicukiro district. [AA Construction]

Pretoria - Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system users have called on other commuters to leave their cars at home and "get on the bus" on Car-Free Day on Tuesday.

Sibusiso Mfumbotha, a regular user of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system from Orlando East, said the BRT system was "safe, quicker and much cheaper than using your own transport".

"I have been using the BRT system since its inception and I have saved a lot of money and time," said Mfumbotha, who went on to encourage people to take a Rea Vaya bus to work tomorrow.

Car-Free Day is marked on 20 October and is one of the highlights of Transport Month. It encourages commuters to use public transport in a bid to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

In Johannesburg, Transport Month could not have come at a better time, with the city's Rea Vaya BRT system in full swing.

Lerato Mano of Diepkloof, Soweto, said she would also be on one of the buses come Car-Free Day.

"I will be using BRT on the day and if I enjoy it then I will become a regular user. I'm wary of public transport but the BRT seems to be a good public transport option because I cannot stand traffic congestion," she said.

Nigeria: Abuja Light Rail Project - 2013 Deadline Certain - Aliero - Minister of the Federal capital Territory, Senator Muhammed Adamu Aliero has restated the preparedness of the administration to do everything necessary to ensure that the $ 840 million Abuja Light Rail Project is completed on schedule. [AA Urbanisation]

Uganda: Northern By-Pass Opens Three Years Late - Motorists enjoying the Northern By-pass at Kireka intersection soon after it was commissioned yesterday [AA Construction]

By Chris Bathembu

Johannesburg - Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele is upbeat about transport preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, saying buses and trains will play a major role in transporting people during the soccer spectacle.

Speaking to BuaNews on Wednesday at this year's launch of Transport Month, Ndebele was confident that government has put to rest all doubts about the country's transport capability during the tournament.

"I'm sure what you have witnessed here today is enough to convince you that indeed our transport system will be ready for the world cup tournament," Ndebele said. He was referring to the launch of the state-of-the-art Translux busses that will be used to ferry officials and fans alike during the soccer showpiece.

Government has bought at least 570 of the luxury buses and they will be managed by the Passenger Rail Management Association (PRMA) and Autopax, a company that is responsible for the Translux fleet.

By Professor Ndawonde

Johannesburg - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee is confident that government has the correct safety and transport plans in place, ahead of the world's largest soccer event next year.

After meeting with the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa and Minister for Transport Sibusiso Ndebele on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the country was moving in the right direction.

"Their plans clearly show that government is committed to working towards providing adequate and safe transport and implementing significant security measures. The plans in place will ensure that we stage the World Cup in a safe environment," Jordaan told BuaNews.

He had been apprehensive after concerns were raised around these two aspects during the recent FIFA Confederations Cup.

However, after hearing reports from the two ministers, he said he was "certain that will not be a problem at all during the World Cup".

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, launched in Johannesburg this week, is set to change the face of public transport in South Africa, writes Chris Bathembu.

For years, the idea of having to endure long queues at train stations or be subjected to long traffic jams has been a nightmare for public transport users in South Africa.

How many times have you reported late for work or school because there was just too much traffic or the train was just too full and you had to wait for another one? How many times were you forced to call a cab or someone to pick you up from town after your midnight shift? There are no running taxis after 9pm!

Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele describes Rea Vaya buses as a "peace of mind". This is why: The buses will be running every five minutes during peak periods and every 20 minutes in off-peak periods starting at 4:45 am to 11 pm! They have their own dedicated lanes so no more fights with your boss because you were late.

Nigeria: France to Invest U.S.$100 Million in Lagos Transportation - The transportation sector of Lagos State yesterday witnessed a major break-through as the French Government indicated interest to invest the sum of $100 million to ensure effective and efficient transportation system in the state.Country Director of French Development Agency (FDA), Luc Bonnamour, disclosed the plan of the French Government when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) at the State House in Alausa, Ikeja , yesterday. [AA Urbanisation]

South Africa: Rea Vaya Chaos -- Without the Taxis - THERE were Nyalas. There was a water cannon. There were even the scary-looking police in black helmets with vests labelled "Intervention", loaded down with ammunition and walking around with big guns. Woe betide any foolish taxi operator who tried to disrupt yesterday's Rea Vaya launch. [AA Urbanisation]

By Chris Bathembu

Johannesburg - It's official, the Rea Vaya buses will hit the streets of Johannesburg on Monday morning.

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele launched the much-talked about Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Sunday, much to the delight of the locals who came to witness this milestone in the history of public transport in South Africa.

On Friday, the North Gauteng High Court gave government the go ahead to launch the BRT after an application by the United Taxi Association Forum to halt the process was dismissed.

Johannesburg became the first city to launch this mode of transport system expected to be rolled out to other major metropolitan areas around the country.

The high floor colourful buses will run from Regina Mundi in Soweto all the way to Ellis Park. Commuters will be able to embark and disembark at closed, raised stations with level boarding every half a kilometre to three quarters of a kilometer.

Several streets around the city centre had been closed while a heavy police presence can be seen around the area where the launch is being held.