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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2010 02:37 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2010 02:37 |
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A section of the Gautrain route between OR Tambo Airport and Sandton can be completed by the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup, Bombela Concession Company said on Tuesday. "Bombela has stated its willingness to commission a modified ... rail service between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton station, including intermediate commuter stations, in time for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup," the company said in a statement. This plan will be contingent on approval by Gauteng province. Earlier this month, provincial and national officials said completion of phase one of the Gautrain by the World Cup would not be feasible due to its high cost. Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said the province had already asked the national government for assistance with roads, housing and social development and would not apply for further funds. A report by Finance 24 quoted Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin as saying the national government supported Mokonyane's decision. "It would be unwise to pay so much to gain a couple of weeks while government's coffers are under pressure." He added that information in his possession showed Bombela would have been able to meet the earlier date, but "had negotiated very aggressively". "It's a pity that they [Bombela] will not use the World Cup soccer tournament to show off the project; money means more to them than such considerations," he said.  CONTINUES BELOW Bombela's current offer was a "modification" of the original plan for the section of the Gautrain. The modified plan "represents an alternative and more affordable solution to the challenge", said Bombela CEO Jerome Govender in the statement. "The modified scope will mostly be back-office related requirements and the originally envisaged passenger experience will be maintained. System and passenger safety and security will not be compromised." -- Sapa TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
Comments
If this was a true Build Operate and transfer scheme with Bombela taking the risk they would pull out all stops to be open for the World Cup to generate traffic. Their attitude shows how heavily subsidised this project is and whether there are passengers or not they still make money. I challenge Bombela to reveal what the guaranteed passenger numbers are so we can see how confident they are that people will use it.
Richard Holden on November 17, 2009, 8:14 pm
Spending on Billions and Millions for the foreigners while the majority live in squatters. SA should not host these international events ever again.
Erick Mulaudzi on November 18, 2009, 9:10 am
Come on Mr. van der Merwe, what do you say? Lets not turn Gautrain into another ASA and Eskom debacle. Is this now a second attempt by Bombela (and the so called foreigners) to help YOU shine next year June?
Kiara Coetzee on November 18, 2009, 9:27 am
I have a feeling they are working under pressure to finish by the kick off so they can "impress", yet they don't want to make it look like a commitment cos they are afraid we will haunt them if they don't deliver by then, hence they say "IF" we finish before the world cup we will pop a schampaign.
I don't have a problem with them finishing part of it by kick off, as long as they don't do f!ck ups like the BRT, town is a mess at the moment, it is hard to drive around when you are not familiar with the rearranged streets. I think Gautrain should just stick to their original deadline, making sure the system suns smoothly.
Bareng Madubanya on November 18, 2009, 10:14 am
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